Technical Analysis – Why do Ferrari and other teams want to use flexible wings?. Formula 1: what are these advantages of flexible wings?.

Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, and all other F1 teams have adopted “flexible” wings to gain advantages. What are these advantages?

The main topic of discussion in the F1 paddock concerns the issue of flexible wings. Scuderia Ferrari, Mercedes, and other teams are exploiting some of the strengths of carbon fiber to their advantage. Why is this behavior so important on modern race cars?

Source: F1inGenerale

How do these wings move?
At high speeds, due to aerodynamic load, all components tend to flex slightly. In the case of the front wings, teams have installed metal slats (green circle in the photos) that ensure the rotation of the upper flaps (see blue arrow).

Source: F1inGenerale

As seen in this view, the rotation causes a lowering of the frontal section of the flaps (red arrows). This results in a reduction of the car’s frontal area, leading to a corresponding decrease in aerodynamic drag. The drag on a car increases with the square of speed, so even a small reduction in the frontal area at high speeds has a significant impact on this resisting force.

Rear wing behavior
The front wing is certainly the component that experiences the most flex, due to its construction nature. The rear wing, characterized by multiple attachment points, is more rigid and less prone to deformation. The aerodynamic load is distributed over the central pylons and the lateral endplates.

How do teams achieve this flexing?
The FIA checks all cars before free practice sessions, and they must pass static flex tests on certain components. The procedure involves applying loads to specific points on the structures, and they must not move beyond a certain limit. However, carbon fiber, which is used to make aerodynamic components, is not a linear elastic material. It is a composite material, made of interwoven fibers bound by resin, allowing for a component that can deform in a non-linear way. The federation will not change the technical regulations this year, but stricter tests will be implemented next Formula 1 season.

Source: f1ingenerale