The Formula 1 car is a racing machine crafted by technical geniuses. It is made up of several components, each with its significance. However, the ‘front wings’ have been the show-stopper in the ongoing season. McLaren and Mercedes’s revised front wings design works like a kryptonite for Red Bull. As a result, the RBR team has been unable to pop the champagne in the last six races.
Moreover, the Milton Keynes-based outfit has demanded a thorough investigation to check the legality of these wings. But the question arises: Is the front-wing setup illegal? Or is RBR too skeptical of losing both World Titles?
The ‘Flexi-Front Wing’ Conundrum: Red Bull Calls For McLare-Mercedes Investigation, Ferrari Keeps Cards Close
During the recent Italian GP, Christian Horner was asked about the Flexi-wings. The RBR boss returned the onus to FIA, showcasing full faith in the concerned body. He claimed the front/rear wing regulations are crystal clear. Thus, any deformity is FIA’s concern. Talking about the McLaren/Mercedes test, Horner was unsure whether the wings align with the rules or not. Despite the two teams passing the tests, the Briton claimed their wings could still be breaching the elasticity barrier. He reinforced his point by referencing the 2021 incident. The Red Bull wings flexed beyond the permitted limit, even though the car cleared all the tests. Ultimately, Horner believes in FIA and will respect its decision. However, he hinted that if the flexi-wings were deemed legal, RBR might consider incorporating them into the setup.
On the other hand, Horner’s Ferrari counterpart, Fredrich Vasseur, skirted the issue. When questioned about the flexi wing conundrum, Vasseur stated he wasn’t interested in discussing it. He will discuss it with Nikolas Tombazis (FIA single-seater director). However, like Horner, Vasseur also portrayed trust in the FIA and was willing to respect its verdict. Meanwhile, the Frenchman would continue to have internal discussions with the authorities.
The Papaya squad and the Silver Arrows have risen since the front wing update. Thus, it has drawn the rival’s attention, claiming it violated the front-wing rule. However, both the teams have cleared the FIA’s load-bearing test. The authorities also used cameras to monitor the wings during the Belgian GP. Whereas Helmut Marko was not satisfied with the testing and demanded strict action, unlike his team principal. However, a matter of fact remains that no material is extremely rigid; thus, some amount of flexing is inevitable. But Ferrari and Red Bull are concerned about the ‘How’ rather than the ‘Why.’ The teams are eager to determine whether the flexing is uniform over the surface or variable. An irregular bending would clearly contradict FIA’s regulations, resulting in action against the two British teams.
The Flexi Wings: Ultimate Cheatcode Or A Mechanical Miracle?
The current FIA regulations force the engineers to keep the maximum downforce point closer to the rear wings. This puts an excessive load on the rear axle, jeopardising the car’s speed in slow corners. This is where Flexi Wings come to the rescue. While it clears the FIA tests, it can still flex whenever and wherever required.
It helps the technical team to manage the front wing downforce at almost every speed. The wing remains stiff at low speeds, creating more downforce and avoiding understeer. However, the wing flexes at high speeds to manage the aerodynamics, reducing the oversteer. This phenomenon makes the flexi wings highly effective and a kryptonite for the defending champions.
