© Sebastian Kawka for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
After Red Bull raised suspicions over Mercedes’ rear wing, the FIA has introduced a new “pull-down” test, and Mercedes has passed it.
The new rear wing test was performed after Qatar Grand Prix Qualifying to help gather new technical information, after Red Bull complained that Mercedes’ wings were ‘flexing’.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was pleased with the new tests.
“We are really delighted to see that they have introduced a fact-finding mission here,” he told Sky Sports F1.
“After qualifying they are going to be testing these wings. There will be a pull-down test on the back of the wing, so effectively an amount of load will be added to the back of the wing.
“I think it will be more than 20 kilos, I think you would probably be closer to, split across the wing it’s probably going to be 70/80 kilos and it will be ramped up in stages.
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“So you will be able to measure the deflection. It’s great that the FIA are being proactive, they’re looking at it,” the Briton concluded.
Well the test was performed with the main blade of the rear wing being pulled down in two places with 35 kilograms each. Auto Motor und Sport reported that a source within Mercedes confirmed their cars had passed the test.
“The wing was rock solid. You could have hung 100 kilos on it,” the source said.
“Maybe Red Bull will ask for 105 kilograms next time.”
Red Bull still claimed that Mercedes has swapped rear wings in Qatar ahead of qualifying, but the same source denies it.
