F1 governing body bans BMW's 'Twin Tower' wings

LONDON, July 25 (Reuters) Formula One's governing body has banned on safety grounds the radical-looking 'Twin Tower' vertical front wings used by BMW Sauber at this month's French Grand Prix.

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) wrote to all 11 teams after the race at Magny-Cours expressing concern that such devices ''may impair the forward and/or lateral vision of the driver''.

The controversial wings passed pre-race inspections in France but BMW team boss Mario Theissen accepted today that the team would not be allowed to use them at this weekend's German Grand Prix.

''The vertical wings obviously presented a new aero solution within the rules,'' he said in a statement. ''We, however, respect the FIA's decision to ban such elements.

''The knowledge we gained from this will be included in our future development programmes.'' The two vertical white fins on the nose of the BMW car were dubbed the 'Twin Towers' as a nod to the Kuala Lumpur skyscrapers owned by Malaysian oil giant and team sponsor Petronas.

BMW Sauber's Canadian driver Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, had said in France that the wings worked well and did not impact on visibility.

REUTERS AY PM2052