Charles Leclerc has called out McLaren’s rear wing design as “controversial” after the Monegasque driver was unable to fend off McLaren’s Oscar Piastri at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite a dominant start that saw Leclerc build a commanding six-second lead from pole, his hopes of victory crumbled when McLaren’s strategic undercut and top-speed advantage turned the tables.
Leclerc’s defeat came on Lap 20 when Piastri executed a daring move into Turn 1, catching the Ferrari driver off-guard. Leclerc admitted that he didn’t cover the inside line, believing he could easily reclaim the position. However, McLaren’s straight-line speed, aided by its “mini DRS” rear wing, proved too much for Leclerc to handle.
“I knew he was there, but I didn’t think it would be that hard to get the spot back,” Leclerc confessed. “His straight-line speed caught us by surprise, and once he got ahead, there was nothing I could do.”
The Ferrari star’s struggle to retake the lead highlighted McLaren’s controversial rear wing, which has drawn intense scrutiny for its suspected ability to flex at high speeds, reducing drag and boosting straight-line performance. Dubbed the “mini DRS,” the design has sparked outrage among rivals, including Leclerc and his Ferrari team.
Leclerc was candid about the impact of McLaren’s controversial tech. “I could’ve defended better, but honestly, I didn’t know their straight-line speed was that strong,” he admitted. “I tried to make my moves, but they just had the edge.”
The controversial rear wing design has prompted the FIA to review McLaren’s Baku performance, with a focus on whether the flexing elements comply with the regulations. Although McLaren insists that its rear wing passes all current static load tests, other teams, including Ferrari, are demanding clarity on the legal boundaries of flexible aero components.
Leclerc hinted that Ferrari has already engaged in internal discussions about McLaren’s rear wing, but he deferred any official stance to team boss Frederic Vasseur. “It’s definitely a topic we’ve talked about,” Leclerc said. “Fred will probably have more to say, but from what I’ve heard, it’s controversial, to say the least.”
With McLaren’s rear wing design now under the microscope, all eyes will be on the FIA’s next move ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. As the battle for the Constructors’ Championship heats up, the outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for the remainder of the season.
