Teams are discussing Formula 1’s most recent flexi-wing antics, but the FIA seems unconcerned about them.
Autosport has discovered that the FIA believes there is no need to step in on the latest flexi-wing mystery in Formula 1, even if teams freely acknowledge that pushing the envelope is necessary to be competitive.
The discussion regarding what teams can and cannot do has been reignited by Mercedes’ recent change in front wing design direction, which has seen its front wing embrace a larger degree of flexibility to help provide balancing advantages.
It has even given rise to rumors that certain teams, including McLaren and Red Bull, may be prepared to file official complaints against the antics of other teams who seem to be taking advantage of flexible front wings that play by the rules.
However, despite the fact that onboard camera footage shows wings flexing noticeably, it is understood that the FIA is satisfied with the designs that teams have used and that it does not currently have any plans to investigate further.
This implies that the present front wing flexibility tests, which include applying stresses to the wings in the pits to make sure they don’t bend excessively, will continue to be conducted at the same levels.
The fact that competitors are beginning to acknowledge that teams need to engineer some degree of flexibility in order to better manage aero balance with ground effect cars is a factor in the FIA’s acceptance of what teams are doing.
According to Jock Clear, Ferrari’s performance engineer, utilizing the advantages of flexi-wings was just as important a design element as other crucial components of the vehicle.
“Everything that’s available to you within the rules is what we explore. So that doesn’t look any different for a front wing or a rear wing or a floor or anything. It’s just a development,” he said. Although Mercedes has received a lot of attention lately, team manager Toto Wolff claims that everyone is now pushing things to the limit in an effort to move up the grid.
He asserted, “It’s always the combination of these. You can have a front wing that flexes like a banana and passes the test, but the rest of the car just doesn’t work properly in the interaction. I think everybody’s trying to push the boundaries and within the regulations. Front wings play a big role today, it’s clear.” Aero elasticity and floors also play a big role.
“We believe we’ve made a significant advancement on the right side, where we’ve been able to accomplish a lot of work over the last three races, and all of the aero bits that have come since then. Perhaps we have simply been much out of position when it comes to wings, floors, and other things.”
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, has refuted rumors that the company had contacted the FIA regarding Mercedes’s flexi-wing behavior.
Marko remarked in an interview with Autosport: “We just noticed it; we didn’t protest. You can identify where it originates from if the car is significantly faster on straightaways. However, everything passed the scrutiny, so everything was well.”
Furthermore, Red Bull has faced backlash in the past for its own flexi-wing strategies, so Marko believes it is a common topic of discussion in Formula One.
“It has always been a problem and nearly every team is affected by it at some stage,” he said.
Sometimes one team will accuse another, and the side that is behind will then point the finger at the other team and claim to be lacking. For as long as I have been in Formula 1, this is just the way the game is played.
