Just like the start of 2009 it looks as if controversy will surround the start of the 2010 Formula One season as well with Ferrari and Red Bull appealing to the FIA for clarification on a part of the new McLaren before the opening round of the championship next weekend.

According to reports in the Telegraph, a slot in McLaren’s rear wing is causing a little bit of upset and like last season if the FIA states it is illegal, then the team could lose up to ten kmh, meaning impeding disaster for Lewis Hamilton and reigning world champion Jenson Button.

The slot is said to increase straight line speed by reducing drag  but Red Bull boss Christian Horner is confident that things will be sorted before teams begin work in Bahrain next week....

“There’s a bit of a fuss over McLaren’s rear wing,” Horner was quoted as saying in the Telegraph. “They have a slot on it [that affects the air flow] and they can pick up a lot of straight-line speed. I think it will get resolved before the first race. We’ve asked the FIA for clarification although I think Ferrari are probably more excited than we are to be honest.”

“Basically, if you stall the wing you take all the drag off it and pick up straight-line speed. It’s something that’s been done quite a lot over the years but with the wing separators you’re not supposed to do that. Our question ultimately will be: 'Is it clever design or is it in breach of the regulations’? They must be very confident that it’s legal. I would think it will be legal.”

Like the double diffuser that haunted the start of 2009, Horner admitted that his team were working on a similar idea if the FIA approved the design.