The Formula 1 circuit is once again abuzz with controversy surrounding the so-called ‘mini-DRS’ system. Accusations recently surfaced suggesting that Ferrari and McLaren might have utilized the contentious concept during pre-season testing.
Fred Vasseur and Christian Horner, the Team Principals for Ferrari and Red Bull respectively, welcomed the FIA’s clarification on the use of flexible front wings last week. This came after speculation that McLaren or Mercedes might be bending the rules regarding the flexibility limits of their front wing designs.
McLaren’s chief, Andrea Stella, reassured critics that these allegations caused no concern for his team. In fact, he expressed confidence that the governing body’s tighter control on these rules will not necessitate any alterations to McLaren’s car before the new season gets underway.
However, recent onboard footage from the testing stage in Bahrain has reignited the debate. The footage triggered speculation that several teams might be toying with the idea of employing the ‘mini-DRS’ system once again. An anonymous team principal, who spoke to The Race, stated that some of the rear wings observed in the footage appeared to be unusually flexible. The principal admitted to keeping a keen eye on this development.
Last year, rumors circulated that McLaren was creating a wider slot gap to minimize drag and increase top speed. This led to the birth of the term ‘mini-DRS’. It is now suggested that some teams are revisiting this strategy, including the possibility of rotating the entire rear wing structure.
Pierre Wache, Red Bull’s Technical Director, revealed his suspicions on the last day of pre-season testing. He believes that Ferrari and McLaren are still exploiting the ‘mini-DRS’ concept. Wache predicts that this issue will be a hot topic of discussion leading up to the Australian Grand Prix, the season opener for 2025.
FIA’s regulations do not require strict legal compliance checks on F1 teams’ designs during testing. Therefore, it is unlikely that any formal complaints will be lodged about any team’s rear wing maneuverings for now. However, the situation could change dramatically once the teams reach Australia. The ‘mini-DRS’ controversy could re-ignite if teams suspect their rivals of using the concept in Melbourne.
Last year, following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the FIA discussed McLaren’s rear-wing design due to widespread dissatisfaction. The team subsequently made modifications to the wing. In a bid to prevent further exploitation of rear-wing strategies, the FIA updated the regulations. The slot gap width was reduced from a minimum of 10-15mm to 9.4-13mm, while the upper limit remained at 85mm when DRS was activated.
Changes were also introduced to the rules pertaining to the DRS bodywork position. It can now only switch between the open or closed state, effectively banning intermediate flexing positions. The revised regulations also demand that teams strengthen the rear-wing mainplane.
As the 2025 season gets underway, the ‘mini-DRS’ saga continues to keep the F1 world on its toes. It remains to be seen how this controversy will unfold, and what impact it will have on the sport’s most prestigious competition.
