Oscar Piastri has fiercely defended McLaren’s controversial rear wing design that played a crucial role in his stunning win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, amid growing scrutiny from rivals and calls for FIA intervention. Widely shared footage from Piastri’s victory in Baku appears to show the McLaren MCL38’s rear wing flexing at high speeds, potentially reducing drag and boosting straight-line performance—a tactic that has put the Woking-based team under the microscope.
Piastri, however, was quick to dismiss any allegations of foul play. “It’s legal,” the Australian insisted on Thursday. “We get tested a lot, and it passes. It’s not some magic ticket for why we’re competitive, but it’s legal. It passes all the tests, so I’m pretty happy with it.”
The 22-year-old rookie phenom emphasized that McLaren’s rear wing doesn’t fall into a “grey area” of the rules, which generally prohibit moving aerodynamic devices apart from the standard DRS system. “I honestly didn’t even know that it did that until three days ago,” Piastri added, reflecting the team’s relentless pursuit of performance within the rulebook.
As McLaren’s rapid rise has rattled its competitors—propelling the team to the top of the Constructors’ Championship ahead of Red Bull—Piastri argued that scrutiny is an inevitable consequence of success. “There’s always going to be questions when a car is fast. We’re not the first to have people look closely at our wings,” he said.
However, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, isn’t convinced. Verstappen called for the FIA to clarify the rules regarding the extent to which wings can flex at speed. “It’s quite clear that it’s moving at speed,” Verstappen remarked. “It might be smart, but at the end of the day, it’s up to the FIA to decide if it’s legal or not.”
The FIA responded with a statement, emphasizing that all cars are closely monitored and must pass stringent deflection tests. “If a team successfully passes all tests and adheres to the regulations, they are deemed to be in compliance,” the FIA noted, adding that they are reviewing data from Baku and considering future measures, including potential mid-season rule changes.
Piastri, currently fourth in the drivers’ standings, has significantly closed the gap to his teammate Lando Norris and championship leader Verstappen following his Baku triumph. Despite his personal ambitions, Piastri acknowledged that team orders may come into play as McLaren prioritizes Norris’s title bid.
“If I can help Lando’s championship bid, then I’ll be happy to do so,” Piastri stated, striking a balance between his personal aspirations and team strategy. With McLaren’s flexi-wing saga far from over, all eyes are now on the FIA’s next move as the championship battle heats up.
