As the battle for supremacy in Formula 1 continues to intensify, Red Bull and Ferrari have raised concerns with the FIA that both McLaren and Mercedes might be using front wings that push the boundaries of the sport’s regulations.
Red Bull and Ferrari believe that their rivals’ wings flex more than what is deemed legal, possibly providing a competitive edge by reducing drag or improving aerodynamic efficiency in ways that the regulations do not intend.
The issue of flexi-wings has been a topic of discussion in Formula 1 for some time. Earlier this summer at the Belgian Grand Prix, the FIA stepped up its scrutiny of the issue.
Current regulations require all wings to pass a static load test. While no irregularities were noted, there was reportedly evidence to suggest that certain designs can clear this test while still flexing significantly when a car is moving at high speeds.
Television footage had shown that the practice of exploiting wing flexibility appears to be commonplace across multiple teams, hence the FIA’s stricter controls
So far, both McLaren and Mercedes have been deemed to be in the clear. But as far as their prime rivals are concerned, simply passing the FIA’s tests may not fully guarantee compliance with the spirit of the regulations.
“I think the regulations are very clear, I think that’s an FIA issue,” commented Red Bull team principal Christian Horner at Monza last weekend.
“So obviously there’s a test you pass and then you have to look at the wording of the regulations. If you remember back in 2021 certainly around Baku time there was a change to the front wing regulation, even though our wing passed the test it was exploiting an elasticity.
“It’s an FIA issue, we’ll leave it and trust them to deal with it. But if it is acceptable, then you have to join it.”
Ferrari, fresh off a morale-boosting win at their home race in Monza with Charles Leclerc, shares Red Bull’s concerns. However, Scuderia boss Fred Vasseur opted for a more restrained approach when addressing the issue.
“This is a discussion that I don’t want to have with you,” Vasseur told the media, indicating his preference for handling the matter directly with the FIA.
“I will have it with [FIA Single-Seater Director] Nikolas Tombazis, but we have to respect the decision of the FIA, but we will deal with it internally with the FIA.”
Vasseur's comments reflect Ferrari's cautious stance; while they are undoubtedly interested in ensuring a level playing field, they are also wary of publicly accusing their rivals without concrete proof.
However, both Ferrari and Red Bull’s actions demonstrate a clear intent to ensure that no team gains an unfair advantage through creative interpretations of the rules.
The FIA now faces the challenge of investigating these concerns and determining whether any rules have been breached.
With the teams waiting anxiously for a resolution, the outcome could shape the direction of development for the rest of the season.
As always in Formula 1, the stakes are high, and the battle for supremacy extends beyond the track and into the technical regulations that govern the sport.
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