An article has appeared over at f1complete.com suggesting that the McLaren four-paddle steering wheel may not be as significant as first thought.

Mark Hughes, writing in the Telegraph, had previously hypothesised that the system may be a driver-controlled featured to limit wheelspin. Subsequent speculation has linked it with McLaren's recent improvement in form.

The photo on f1complete.com shows that the four-paddle system was in use as far back as Australia. The website goes on to report that Renault is thought to have had a similar set up on their cars since Silverstone.