© Finn Pomeroy for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix ltd.
Red Bull has recently demanded that the FIA check if Mercedes and McLaren’s front wings are legal. The FIA promptly came out with a statement.
Red Bull’s team boss Christian Horner has been very vocal recently, asking the FIA to check if Mercedes and McLaren’s front wings are flexing more that they should.
Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur also said he would discuss the matter with FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, but added that they “have to respect the decision of the FIA”.
Well, the FIA quickly came out with a statement and cleared both teams of any wrongdoing.
“The FIA is examining front wings at every event with numerous checks (conformity of surfaces, conformity of deflections) with respect to the relevant F1 Technical Regulation,” the statement read.
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“All front wings are currently compliant with the 2024 regulations.
“Since the Belgian Grand Prix, the FIA has acquired additional data during FP1 and FP2 sessions to assess dynamic behaviours through an FIA-mandated video camera which captures areas of the front wing which are not visible through the official FOM cameras.
“This exercise will continue at least up until Singapore to ensure every team will have been running the mandated FIA camera on different types of tracks (low, medium, high and very high downforce).
“This will ensure a large database allowing the FIA to draw the most objective picture of the situation and quantify differences between the various dynamic patterns observed on track.
“No component is infinitely stiff, which is the reason why there are load-deflection tests in the regulations.
“The front wing has been a challenging area throughout the years because the aerodynamic loading patterns between different competitors vary and it is therefore difficult to find a load vector which will cover all types of front-wing construction.
“Other areas of the car, including rear wing and floor edges, have much more consistent aerodynamic loading patterns across the grid, making for a more universal load-deflection test.
“The FIA has the right to introduce new tests if irregularities are suspected.
“There are no plans for any short-term measures, but we are evaluating the situation with the medium and long-term in mind,” the statement concluded.
