The FIA has officially announced a tightening of technical regulations regarding flexible wings in Formula 1. After careful analysis conducted between the end of the 2024 season and the start of 2025, the FIA has decided to intervene to ensure greater fairness among teams, introducing a new technical directive with stricter tests on flexible wings starting from the next Chinese Grand Prix.
New FIA technical directive: what changes for flexible rear wings
The decision comes after a thorough assessment of rear wing deformations, observed through video footage and static tests conducted during the Australian Grand Prix. According to Article 3.15.17 of the 2025 Technical Regulations, if a vertical load of 75 kg is applied to each end of the main rear wing, the distance between the mainplane and flap (the so-called “slot gap”) must not vary by more than 2 mm.
Starting from the Shanghai GP, this tolerance will be drastically reduced to 0.5 mm. However, given the communication sent to teams on the morning of March 17, a temporary tolerance of 0.25 mm will be applied exclusively for the Chinese race before the full limit is enforced at the Japanese GP.
Strict controls already in Australia
During the Australian weekend, all cars underwent the tests specified in Article 3.15.17 and were found to be compliant. The FIA confirmed that all single-seaters met the regulatory parameters and competed legally in Melbourne.
Additionally, before the race, in-depth tests were conducted on Lando Norris’s McLaren as per FIA communication:
– A vertical and angular deformation test was carried out on the main plane of the rear wing of car number 04.
– A deformation test was conducted on the tip of the main plane of the rear wing of car number 04.
– A deformation test was performed on the lower rear wing (beam wing) of car number 04.
Objective: more rigor and safety
This decision is part of a broader strategy. Among the planned interventions for the season are new tests for the front wing (coming into effect at the Spanish GP) and for the rear beam wing. The FIA’s objective is clear: to reduce the use of flexible components that could provide aerodynamic advantages not in line with the spirit of the regulations.
Monitoring will continue in the upcoming Grands Prix. The FIA is using trackside cameras during free practice sessions to check for any additional deformations that may not be detectable in static tests.
Teams themselves are also keeping an eye on rivals, and according to information from the Italian website F1inGenerale, there are significant concerns among the top teams. This directive will not only affect McLaren, which has shown greater flexibility.
These new rules represent another step in the ongoing technical evolution of Formula 1, aimed at ensuring the fairest and most transparent competition possible among all teams.
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