As of today the new rear wing test is valid for all Formula 1 teams. With this the discussion about the so called ‘Flexwings’ should finally be over, but now the question is what effect it will have on the performance on track.
The ‘Flexwings
After the Spanish Grand Prix, Formula 1 has been involved in a continuous discussion about ‘Flexwings’. Mercedes publicly stated that Red Bull Racing’s rear wing would bend too much during a lap. This would give Red Bull an advantage on the straight because the rear wing is lower and creates less drag, without losing downforce in the corners.
Red Bull, like Ferrari and other teams under a magnifying glass, just passed the FIA tests. These are tests in which, from a stationary position, vertical and horizontal pressure is exerted on the rear wing, with a maximum of 3 millimetres of movement allowed. The RB16B passes this test, but images clearly show that the rear wing moves more.
Several teams on the grid will now have to make changes to their rear wing. And because of that, they needed time to make the changes, which is why were are supportive of the delay in enforcing the new tests.
FIA introduces new tests
Article 3.8 of the Technical Regulations states that parts affecting the aerodynamics of the car may not move. With the tests the FIA checks if this is the case, but after Mercedes’complaint in Spain the FIA has introduced new tests from the French Grand Prix onwards.
These tests, which are valid from today, increase the pressure. Where the vertical pressure on the wing used to be 75kg, it is now 100kg. Horizontal pressure on the wing is now 75kg, up from 50kg previously. In a stationary situation the wing was allowed to move 3 millimetres under this pressure, but now a maximum movement of 1 millimetre is allowed.
Mercedes versus Red Bull Racing, McLaren versus Ferrari
With these new tests the discussion and threats from Mercedes and McLaren should come to an end. The question is how will the performance change on the track? How will teams like Ferrari, Red Bull, AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo and Alpine do without their ‘Flexwing’. How big was the impact? And what will Red Bull do about Mercedes’ front wing now, because anyone who has seen it will also question the FIA’s front wing tests.
In an exciting championship teams will be pulling out all the stops to beat each other. Mercedes have perhaps won an important battle with this new test, but their rear wing also moved during the race in Baku. This weekend we will see what impact it has on the teams who had to change their wing, and what they have in store for possible counter-attacks.
