Ferrari wheels to stir new F1 controversy

(GMM) With the 'mass damper' saga still bubbling, yet another technical controversy looks set to descend on formula one.

At the Istanbul circuit on Friday, Ferrari racers Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa took to free practice with an innovative addition to their red cars' rear wheels.

It is a sort of cover for the actual wheel rims, and is already sparking suggestions from rival teams that – not dissimilar to the controversially banned 'mass dampers' – it might contravene the regulations concerning moveable aerodynamic parts.

''I have asked the engineers,'' McLaren driver Pedro de la Rosa told 'AS' newspaper, ''and they say it has an aerodynamic influence.''

It is further understood that all aerodynamic devices must be rigidly attached to the actual chassis, but Ferrari sources reportedly insist that the wheel covers simply aid brake cooling, not aerodynamic efficiency.

''Ferrari always seem to be at the limit of the interpretation of the rules,'' noted Renault's Fernando Alonso, who is just ten points ahead of Schumacher in the 2006 chase.