New regulations restricting bodywork flexibility are set to be introduced from this weekend`s Spanish Grand Prix, potentially altering the Formula 1 competitive landscape. Here`s an explanation of this significant change.
What are the New F1 Flexi-Wing Rules?
The FIA announced in January that stricter flexibility tests for front wings would be enforced starting with the ninth round of the season in Spain.
Formula 1 regulations prohibit flexible bodywork, but a certain tolerance is allowed. From the Spanish GP onwards, this tolerance for front wings and their flaps will be reduced from 15mm to 10mm.
While a 5mm change might seem minor, in a sport where car performance differences are often measured in millimeters, this is a crucial adjustment.
FIA Regulations on the Test
According to the FIA regulations regarding the new test:
- When a symmetrical load is applied, vertical deflection must not exceed 10mm.
- Any part of the front wing flap`s trailing edge must deflect no more than 3mm along the loading axis under a 60N point load perpendicular to the flap.
Why Weren`t the Tests Introduced Earlier?
Unlike rear wing tests, which were implemented immediately from the Chinese Grand Prix after just one race, the front wing tests were delayed. This is because designing and manufacturing a new front wing is a more complex and time-consuming process. Teams were therefore given four months to prepare for the new regulations.
The front wing is a critical aerodynamic component in F1. As the first part of the car to interact with airflow, its design significantly influences the car`s overall aerodynamics and balance. Furthermore, it integrates with the car`s front impact structure, meaning any redesign requires passing rigorous impact tests. Rear wings, in comparison, are structurally simpler and don`t involve such safety considerations.
The Advantage of Flexible Wings
Wing flexibility has long been a performance factor in F1, offering a potential advantage when optimized.
An ideal F1 car would combine high straight-line speed with significant downforce for corners. However, these two characteristics are generally contradictory from an aerodynamic perspective.
Teams constantly push the limits of regulations and explore grey areas to gain a competitive edge.
Past Instances of Failing Flexi-Wing Tests
In 2014, Red Bull drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel were disqualified from qualifying for the Abu Dhabi GP after their front wings failed a deflection test.
Potential Impact on Teams, Including McLaren
Technical controversies are not new to F1 seasons. Flexible wings were a major talking point during the intense 2021 season, with both Red Bull and Mercedes accusing each other of illegal wing flexibility.
More recently, McLaren`s rear wing was debated last year; it appeared to flex to reduce drag on straights (`mini DRS`) and then stiffen for corners to maintain downforce. McLaren was required to modify this wing at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, although this reportedly did not significantly harm their performance.
Since then, some teams are believed to have utilized flexible wing designs that comply with current FIA tests but still offer performance benefits.
While McLaren`s competitors haven`t made public accusations regarding front wing flexibility, some paddock speculation suggests the Woking-based team might see their performance affected from the Spanish GP onwards.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella responded to such suggestions earlier this month in Imola, stating: “It`s good news when our rivals get their focus – rather than on themselves – onto some of the aspects that allegedly are present in our car, and that effectively are not even present.”
He added, “Certainly, even if they were – let`s say, flexi-wings like a front wing deflection, like everyone else – it has nothing to do with the reason why McLaren is very competitive.”
“I hope that in the future there will be more of these kinds of sagas because it means that our rivals keep focusing on the wrong things, and this is, for us, just good news. It`s just helping our quest.”
Reactions from Other Top Teams
Team principals from Red Bull (Christian Horner), Mercedes (Toto Wolff), and Ferrari (Frederic Vasseur) shared their thoughts on the potential effects of the stricter wing tests after the Monaco Grand Prix.
Christian Horner (Red Bull): Horner noted that Spain and subsequent circuits are higher speed. He acknowledged the regulation change will have “some effect” on all teams, though it might be neutral or impact tyre degradation. He stated, “It doesn`t make life easier.”
Toto Wolff (Mercedes): Wolff commented that Ferrari was likely the most conservative regarding flexi-wings. He expressed uncertainty about the impact on the competitive order, calling it “another angle of curiosity” and admitting he didn`t know how it would unfold.
Frederic Vasseur (Ferrari): Vasseur described the front wing regulation change starting at Barcelona as potentially “a gamechanger for everybody,” emphasizing that the impact on each team is unknown. He added, “We`ll stick to this [at Barcelona], be focused on this, to have the better explanation of the new front wing.”
Expectations for the Spanish Grand Prix
Bernie Collins, from Sky Sports F1, discussed the upcoming race on The F1 Show:
“The teams have now had eight races to get ready for it. So they know on each deflection test that they do in the FIA garage, they will know what their deflection is for each of the wings and each set-up that they run in.”
“They will know how far out they are out, if any are out. We are not privy to that information, so we don`t know if anyone`s been regularly failing on the new metric of the front wing test.”
“As much as teams speculate whether it`ll affect them or not, and there was a lot of discussion that it would affect McLaren and McLaren have said it won`t affect them, they`re not worried about it, the proof will be in the pudding.”
“Is someone going to suffer by having to bring a new front wing? And we`ll find that out on Thursday when we get the parts that have changed on the car. And is anyone going to suffer with higher degradation, for example, or lower straight-line speed? That`s how we`ll see it.”
“If someone doesn`t have the same speed at the end of the straight as we would expect, that`s where we`ll see it, so we don`t know and that`s going to make Barcelona a little bit more exciting.”
