FIA announce OFFICIAL decision over controversial F1…read more
The FIA has officially addressed the controversy surrounding flexible front wings in Formula 1, confirming their stance on the issue. The controversy emerged during the 2024 season when teams like Ferrari and Red Bull raised concerns about the flexibility of the front wings on rival cars, particularly those of Mercedes and McLaren. This led to the FIA deploying monitoring cameras starting from the Belgian Grand Prix to scrutinize the situation.
Following an investigation, the FIA concluded that there was no issue with the front wings of Mercedes and McLaren as long as they adhered to the established flex testing procedures. The governing body emphasized that the investigation was primarily intended to gather data and inform potential future regulations rather than to penalize specific teams. Despite the ongoing debate about the performance advantages that flexible wings might offer, the FIA found no reason to take immediate action.
Now, the FIA has made an official decision regarding potential changes to the regulations concerning front wing flexibility. Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA’s head of single-seater matters, confirmed that there would be no changes to the current flex tests for the 2025 season. Speaking to Autosport, Tombazis explained that the FIA was generally satisfied with the current testing methods. However, he pointed out that it’s not merely about being content with the tests; the challenge lies in ensuring that the tests reflect the real-world forces acting on the front wings during races.
Tombazis elaborated on the difficulty of creating accurate tests for front wing flexibility, noting that the load distribution on the front wings can vary significantly between different cars. As a result, it is harder to devise a universal test that can replicate the diverse conditions each car experiences on the track. The FIA’s current approach involves measuring the deformation of the wings under load in specific directions and positions, which has been successful to a degree, especially with earlier wing designs.
However, the complexity of the front wing’s behavior makes it more challenging to establish a one-size-fits-all test. Tombazis emphasized that, while the tests are not perfect, they aim to simulate real-life conditions as closely as possible to ensure fairness and safety in the sport.
In conclusion, the FIA has decided not to implement any changes to the flexi-wing regulations for the 2025 season, with the current testing procedures remaining in place.
