FIA delivers verdict on McLaren and Mercedes front wing...

FIA delivers verdict on McLaren and Mercedes front wing…read more.

The FIA has dismissed complaints from Ferrari and Red Bull regarding the front wings used by McLaren and Mercedes on their Formula 1 cars. Both Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur and Red Bull’s Christian Horner had raised concerns that their rivals’ front wings were flexing more than the regulations allow, suggesting a potential breach of the rules.

Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, mentioned that while they were unhappy with the situation, they would address the matter internally with the FIA. Vasseur indicated that they respected the FIA’s decision but wanted further clarification from Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s Single-Seater Director. Similarly, Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, acknowledged that the issue was now in the FIA’s hands. However, he hinted that if McLaren and Mercedes’ designs were deemed acceptable, Red Bull might consider adopting a similar approach.

In response to these concerns, the FIA issued a statement on Tuesday clarifying their position on the matter. The governing body emphasized that they have been thoroughly inspecting front wings at every race, using various tests to ensure compliance with the 2024 F1 Technical Regulations. This includes checks for surface conformity and deflection measurements.

The FIA confirmed that all front wings currently in use meet the 2024 regulations. Since the Belgian Grand Prix, the organization has been gathering additional data during free practice sessions to assess the dynamic behavior of the wings. This is being done through an FIA-mandated video camera, designed to capture areas of the front wing not visible through official Formula 1 broadcast cameras. The aim is to continue this monitoring process until at least the Singapore Grand Prix, ensuring that every team has been running the FIA camera across different types of tracks, including low, medium, high, and very high downforce circuits.

By gathering this extensive data, the FIA hopes to create a comprehensive and objective understanding of the situation and quantify any differences in the dynamic patterns observed on the track. The results will help ensure that all teams are competing on a level playing field when it comes to front wing design and behavior.

This additional camera monitoring is part of the FIA’s broader efforts to ensure that its flexi-wing checks are rigorous enough to detect any rule breaches. The regulations specify that no part of a front wing flap may deflect more than 5mm when a 60N point load is applied along the loading axis. These tests are designed to prevent teams from gaining an unfair aerodynamic advantage by exploiting flexible bodywork.

The FIA acknowledged that the front wing area has always been a challenging part of the car to regulate. This is because aerodynamic loading patterns differ significantly between teams, making it difficult to design a universal load vector that applies to all front wing constructions. In contrast, other parts of the car, such as the rear wing and floor edges, have more consistent aerodynamic loading patterns across the grid, making them easier to test for deflection.

While the FIA has the authority to introduce new tests if they suspect irregularities, they have no immediate plans to implement any short-term changes. Instead, they are continuing to evaluate the situation with a view to making adjustments in the medium to long term if necessary.

This ruling by the FIA is likely to frustrate Red Bull, which has been struggling with performance issues in recent races. The team is in the midst of a six-race winless streak in 2024, with McLaren and Mercedes taking five victories during that period. Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s star driver, expressed his frustration after finishing sixth in the recent Italian Grand Prix, describing his car as a “monster.”

Verstappen’s closest rival in the Drivers’ Championship, McLaren’s Lando Norris, finished third in Italy and set the fastest lap of the race, further closing the gap between the two drivers to just 62 points with eight races remaining in the season. The Constructors’ Championship is even tighter, with Red Bull holding a slim lead of just eight points over their rivals.

As Red Bull seeks to regain its dominance, the FIA’s decision on the front wings may push the team to rethink its approach and possibly adopt new design philosophies to stay competitive.