BREAKING NEWS: FIA issue statement as third F1 team, RED BULL lodge complaint about McLaren, Mercedes…read more.
FIA issue statement as third F1 team, RED BULL lodge complaint about McLaren, Mercedes…read more.
The FIA has released a statement confirming that both McLaren’s and Mercedes’ front wings are compliant with the sport’s technical regulations. This announcement comes in the wake of growing concerns, with Williams becoming the third Formula 1 team to raise a complaint about the so-called “flexi-wing” dilemma, which first arose during the Italian Grand Prix.
Red Bull Racing and Ferrari initially requested talks with the FIA after onboard footage from Monza appeared to show unusual flexing of McLaren’s MCL38 and Mercedes’ W15 front wings. This footage sparked curiosity and further investigation into the performance of these components. Both teams believe that the design of these front wings might be a contributing factor to the recent strong development trajectories of McLaren and Mercedes.
Helmut Marko, advisor to Red Bull Racing, made his position clear in an interview with Austrian broadcaster ORF. “The front wing of McLaren and Mercedes must be analysed,” he stated firmly. His concerns were echoed by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who pointed to the FIA’s responsibility to ensure that all teams comply with the regulations. “I think the regulations are very clear, and that’s an FIA issue,” Horner remarked. He noted that while the parts in question have passed initial tests, more scrutiny might be needed to ensure full compliance.
Horner drew comparisons to a similar issue that arose in 2021, particularly around the time of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. Back then, the FIA made amendments to the front wing regulations, even though Red Bull’s wing designs had initially passed the tests. “It’s an FIA issue, so we’ll leave it and trust them to deal with it,” Horner added, emphasizing his team’s confidence in the governing body to handle the situation appropriately.
However, it’s not just Red Bull and Ferrari raising concerns. According to a report from The Mirror, Williams has also joined the chorus of complaints. James Vowles, team principal at Williams, and his technical team have expressed interest in having the FIA take a closer look at the front wings of their competitors, further intensifying the pressure on the governing body to act.
In response to the mounting complaints, the FIA released a statement on Tuesday aimed at putting to rest any speculation regarding the legality of McLaren’s and Mercedes’ front wings. The statement reiterated that the FIA is rigorously checking front wings at every Grand Prix event. These checks include verifying the conformity of surfaces and ensuring that the wings adhere to deflection regulations as outlined in the F1 Technical Regulations.
“The FIA is examining front wings at every event with numerous checks (conformity of surfaces, conformity of deflections) with respect to the relevant F1 Technical Regulation,” the statement read. The governing body also mentioned that these checks would continue through the upcoming races, including the Singapore Grand Prix, to ensure that every team complies with the mandated FIA cameras that monitor the cars’ performance across various types of circuits, from low to high downforce tracks.
The FIA emphasized that this process is ongoing to build a comprehensive database that will allow the organization to draw an objective picture of the situation. This data will help quantify the differences in the dynamic patterns observed on the track, providing clarity on any potential irregularities.
With the FIA’s statement deeming McLaren’s front wing design perfectly legal, the burden now shifts back to Red Bull and Ferrari, who are facing an uphill battle to challenge McLaren’s recent surge in performance. McLaren, who have not won a Constructors’ Championship title since 1998, are now just eight points behind Red Bull in the standings. The Woking-based team has gained significant momentum in the second half of the season and looks poised to mount a serious challenge for the championship.
As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen whether Red Bull, Ferrari, or Williams will push for further action. However, for now, McLaren and Mercedes can continue their push for glory, confident that their front wings comply with the FIA’s regulations. The ongoing saga highlights the fine margins in Formula 1, where innovation and regulation are constantly in tension, and where every advantage, however small, can make the difference in the battle for supremacy.
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