Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull, has expressed his bemusement at the timing of the latest set of changes to the Formula 1 flexi-wing regulations by the International Automobile Federation (FIA). The implementation of these changes, set to be introduced in the ninth race of the 2025 season, has left Horner questioning the rationale behind the decision.
The flexi-wing saga has been a recurring topic in the F1 paddock. In 2024, it was once again brought into the limelight, with Red Bull and Ferrari raising eyebrows at the practices of McLaren and Mercedes. The FIA, however, found no violation of the rules after they monitored the flexing of the front wings with cameras.
Horner’s confusion lies in the timeline of implementing these tests. During the F1 75 season launch event in London, he expressed his uncertainty to the press, including PlanetF1.com, questioning, “Race nine. Why nine?”
He acknowledged the necessity of the changes, particularly the tidying up of the rear wing, but remained puzzled over the delayed adjustment of the front wing. Horner emphasized that this delay would inevitably lead to costs, as teams would have to deal with pre and post-race nine issues.
Contrary to Horner’s perplexity, Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, expressed satisfaction with the timing of changes. He highlighted the importance of having clarity and sufficient time for planning and development. In Vasseur’s view, an unexpected technical directive (TD) to modify the front wing mid-season would have been a logistical nightmare.
Vasseur also noted that all the teams were already strategizing to enhance their front wings during the season. The new regulations simply provide a precise timeline, requiring the updates to be ready by the Barcelona race.
Notwithstanding the varied reactions from Red Bull and Ferrari, McLaren, the reigning Constructors’ World Champions, confirmed that they would need to modify their MCL39’s front wing to meet the FIA’s revised tests. However, team principal Andrea Stella dismissed any concerns, assuring that the necessary adjustments were minor and would not cause any significant issues.
Stella also highlighted that the team’s focus was on other aspects of performance enhancement that have a more direct impact on shaving off those crucial tenths of a second from their time. He expressed his respect for the hardworking men and women at McLaren, who are dedicated to improving what was already a highly competitive car in 2024.
