Carlos Sainz Jr from Spain, driving for Ferrari SF-24, participated in the Formula 1 World Championship, Round 9, at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, Canada, during the Practice Day on June 7, 2024.
Red Bull suspects that both McLaren and Ferrari have used front wings on their Formula 1 cars that exceed the flexibility limits established by the FIA, posing a potential threat.
A recent report from the German publication Auto Motor und Sport reveals that Red Bull is publicly pointing fingers at McLaren and Ferrari regarding their front wing designs.
According to the article, Mercedes also has concerns about the front wings but has chosen not to protest and follow the same path as its competitors.
Auto Motor und Sport claims that Mercedes’ new front wing belongs to the group of front wings that are considered legally flexible and may be a crucial factor in the team’s recent success in Canada.
The publication further explains that this development not only provides a performance advantage but also improves the overall balance of the car and increases the driver’s confidence.
Red Bull is quoted by AMuS saying, “If this is more tolerated, we will have to follow the same path.”
Front wings on Formula 1 cars are subjected to a load of 60 newtons and should not deform more than three millimeters. However, teams strive to pass the FIA tests while pushing the limits.
In the past, Mercedes accused Red Bull of using a rear wing that flexed excessively, resulting in a significant advantage in straight-line speed during the 2021 title battle between the two teams.
An Aston Martin, during the previous season, supposedly had to change its front wing due to concerns from the FIA about its design violating the spirit of the rules. This change coincided with a noticeable drop in the team’s performance, going from consistent podiums to lower scoring positions.
AMuS suggests that Red Bull tried to convince Aston Martin to join them in protesting against Ferrari and McLaren, but the British team decided to refuse and focus on finding their own solution.
In response to concerns about teams exploiting flexible wings for aerodynamic gains, the FIA introduced a technical regulation, TD018, before the Singapore Grand Prix last season to limit wing flexibility.
