The unique front wing design of Mercedes has become a topic of interest within the Formula 1 community for the 2024 season. Many have raised questions about its legality, as the rules state that the front wing elements must be a specific distance apart and not visible from above, except for the furthest back element. In essence, the front wing elements should resemble steps when viewed from above. However, Mercedes seems to have found a way to bypass these regulations by attaching what seems to be a wire to the rear edge of the second flap, elongating the third flap along the rear edge of the second flap, and concealing it. This design reduces the size of the front wing while keeping the number of flaps. The question remains: is this design within the rules?
When inquired about the legality of their front wing during the Bahrain pre-season testing, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff stated that any modifications made to the car are done in consultation with the FIA. It is not a matter of simply coming up with a clever idea and implementing it without considering potential challenges. There is a thorough process of discussion with the FIA’s technical team during the winter. According to Wolff, they believe they are following the regulations.
However, it is important to note that just because an innovation has been approved by the FIA does not guarantee its compliance with the rules. Many elements have been deemed illegal after being tested on F1 cars in the past. At this point, there is no public indication that Mercedes’ front wing will be examined closely.
Mercedes’ 2024 car marks a significant departure from their previous concept, which caused them difficulties in the first two years of the current rules cycle. They have shifted towards a design more akin to Red Bull’s successful RB19. This raises the question of whether Mercedes should be worried that Red Bull has also made substantial innovations with their RB20 and moved away from the concept that Mercedes has adopted.
In response to this concern, Wolff emphasized that each team follows their own development direction and focuses on generating lap time through virtual simulations, wind tunnel testing, and other methods. Regardless of what other teams are doing, each team will implement what they believe will enhance their car’s performance. Mercedes has made adjustments to their concept based on their evaluation of its impact on the car’s performance. While the new design may appear more conventional, they believe it provides a better foundation for success.
According to the Source the-race.com
