The FIA has addressed concerns surrounding the legality of McLaren’s front wing design ahead of the Emilia-Romagna GP. In a recent statement, the governing body confirmed that all Formula 1 teams, including McLaren, are currently compliant with the technical regulations regarding front wing designs.
Background of the Controversy
The debate surrounding flexible front wings has been ongoing, with Red Bull and Ferrari expressing concerns over the designs employed by Mercedes and McLaren. Despite passing standard load-bearing tests, the wings of these cars have been observed to flex more than expected under dynamic conditions, sparking questions about their compliance with the regulations ¹.
FIA’s Stance
The FIA has been closely monitoring the situation, conducting numerous checks on front wings at every event. These checks include assessing conformity of surfaces and deflections in accordance with the F1 Technical Regulation. To gather more data, the FIA has also mandated the use of onboard video cameras during practice sessions to evaluate front wing behavior under various track conditions.
Key points from the FIA’s statement
Compliance with Regulations All front wings currently meet the 2024 regulations.
Additional Monitoring The FIA will continue to gather data on front wing behavior through onboard cameras.
Potential for Future Changes The FIA reserves the right to introduce new tests if irregularities are suspected.
Implications for the Teams
While the FIA’s statement provides clarity for the teams, it also highlights the challenges in regulating front wing designs. The governing body acknowledges that the front wing has been a complex area to regulate due to varying aerodynamic loading patterns between competitors. As a result, the FIA is working to refine its testing methods to ensure a level playing field for all teams