Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur suggests that the upcoming mid-season adjustments to Formula 1 regulations regarding flexible front wings have the potential to significantly alter the competitive landscape among the leading teams.
The sport`s governing body, the FIA, issued a technical directive in January announcing stricter flexibility tests for front wings. These new tests are set to be implemented starting from the Spanish Grand Prix, which is the ninth event of the current season.
Ferrari has faced a disappointing start to the season. After just six races, the Italian team is already significantly behind the current leaders in the Constructors` Championship.
While many teams are expected to introduce car updates at the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the first European race of the season, Vasseur believes that the modifications teams will make to comply with the new flexi-wing rules for Barcelona could have a more substantial impact on performance.
Speaking recently, Vasseur commented:
We are at the point where it`s difficult to do a big upgrade on the car because after four years with the same regulations we are more fighting for details. The biggest one probably will be Spain because we have a clear change of regulation with the complete new front wing. This could change a little bit the picture of the championship. Let`s wait for this.
He elaborated on the potential effect of the rule changes:
It could be a reset on the immediate picture, but not on the championship. The guy who will lead the championship in Spain will still lead the championship after Spain, but, in terms of pure performance, it could be a gamechanger.
Vasseur`s remarks echo sentiments from rivals who have hinted that the current front-running team might see a performance reduction due to these technical directive changes. Drivers from that team, however, have expressed confidence that the adjustments will not pose a significant problem for them.
The technical directive will decrease the allowable flex in the wings from 15mm of movement to 10mm. The delay in implementing this rule was intended to provide teams adequate time to meet the new standards. The FIA previously tightened regulations on rear wing flexibility earlier in the season, but this change did not appear to significantly alter the competitive order.
Chassis Difficulties Impact Hamilton`s Adaptation
Significant attention was on Ferrari at the start of the season following the high-profile acquisition of Lewis Hamilton. However, the seven-time world champion`s initial period with the team has been less impactful than anticipated.
Hamilton currently sits seventh in the drivers` standings, behind his teammate Charles Leclerc, who is in fifth.
While Hamilton achieved a Sprint victory and a third-place finish in a Sprint earlier in the season, he has generally faced challenges, particularly in qualifying and during full races, sometimes more so than Leclerc.
Vasseur believes that the team`s overall difficulties with the car`s performance have made it harder for Hamilton to adapt after many years with his previous team.
He stated:
The car is not at the level that we were expecting. If you compare to last year, for example, it means that we are not in an ideal situation. And I think in this situation, it`s even more difficult for a new driver to adapt to the car.
Vasseur added that success makes adaptation easier:
I think if you are flying and winning every single weekend, it`s much easier for them to adapt to the team.
Despite the results, Vasseur remains optimistic about the working relationship:
But I would say that as long as the collaboration is positive and constructive, even if it`s not of use each weekend in terms of the result, I think we are improving understanding of each other, not just with me but the technical side. I think this is going in the right direction and I`m quite confident for the future.
Hamilton attracted attention recently for expressing frustration over team radio regarding strategy calls. Vasseur insists such incidents do not concern him, provided there is a productive debrief afterward.
He commented:
I`m never upset with this, as long as we are able to have a good discussion after. We have to keep in mind that they have to jump on the radio driving between the walls, under the pressure with the result. They are not happy sometimes with the result or with the strategy or with the balance of the car, and they are live for millions of people. Most important for me is the content of the debrief.
