[attach id=352317 size="medium"]Charlie Whiting[/attach]

McLaren are to avoid any controversy in this weekend’s German Grand Prix by opting not to run the potentially illegal FRIC suspension system.

FIA race director Charlie Whiting caused a stir amongst the teams last week when he sent a letter threatening to outlaw the front and rear interconnected (FRIC) device from the race in Hockenheim.

FRIC enables the cars to maintain a constant ride height, and is believed to have played a role in Mercedes’ dominance so far this season.

Following a detailed investigation of most of the systems, Whiting feels FRIC contravenes one of the FIA’s catch-all regulations with regard to moveable aerodynamic devices.

The FIA has yet to announce its intention with regard to the system, yet McLaren have decided to err on the side of caution.

“McLaren does not intend to run a FRIC suspension system at the German Grand Prix,” said a McLaren spokesman.

“McLaren will comply with the FIA’s rulings on the matter.”

It means McLaren has the option open to them of launching a protest should they discover another team has used FRIC.

There is a possibility a ban could be delayed until next season if all teams unanimously agree for that to happen.

However, Force India’s chief operating officer Otmar Szafnauer does not believe such an agreement will be found.

“I think the likelihood of unanimous agreement is zero,” Szafnauer said.

“There will be people out there that will say if the FIA think it should be banned then let’s do that.”