Fans in favour of CDG.

Formula One fans would be happy to see the introduction of the FIA's radical new aerodynamic package in 2007 or 2008 provided it had the desired effect on competition.

The CDG - or Centreline Downwash Generating - design, which sees the traditional rear wing split down the middle and restricted to the area behind the rear wheels, is supposed to enhance the chances of following cars being able to overtake, a feat previously hampered by 'dirty air' which washes over the wing and interferes with downforce levels.

Formula One fans would be happy to see the introduction of the FIA's radical new aerodynamic package in 2007 or 2008 provided it had the desired effect on competition.

The CDG - or Centreline Downwash Generating - design, which sees the traditional rear wing split down the middle and restricted to the area behind the rear wheels, is supposed to enhance the chances of following cars being able to overtake, a feat previously hampered by 'dirty air' which washes over the wing and interferes with downforce levels.

Initial artist impressions of the new-look car have taken some people by surprise, with criticism that the design is 'ugly', while aero experts have accused the FIA and technical partner AMD of taking the idea in isolation, claiming that the theory that it would improve overtaking may not be as clear cut when the entire car is taken into consideration. However, the fans have not allowed these views to sway their support for the idea.

In a poll conducted by Crash.net, there was overwhelming support for the re-design, provided that it improved overtaking as planned. In a result that mirrored the poll conducted by the governing body, competition remains uppermost on the list of fans' desires, regardless of the effect it may have on aesthetics, with a massive 65 per cent voting in favour of the radical reworking.

There was, however, a proportion of respondents who did not want the plans to come to fruition from a beauty point of view, with 21 per cent claiming that the CDG wing made the cars look all wrong.

The remaining 14 per cent was split 10-4 between the views that F1 needs a new look regardless of the effect on competition, and the belief that the sport, buoyed by a strong 2005 campaign, is okay as it is and does not need unnecessary tinkering.

The Formula One Commission gave the CDG wing tentative approval as part of the proposed 2008 rules package - which could yet be introduced in 2007 - but reserves the right to reappraise its view after further research has been carried out.

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