Reports have surfaced that Red Bull approached the FIA during pre-season testing to seek clarity on the contentious issue of flexible rear wings. This matter has sparked considerable discussion over the past few months.
Throughout the winter break, the FIA tightened regulations around rear wings and carried out checks at the first race of the season in Australia. While all teams were found to meet the current standards, the efforts still fell short of addressing the ‘mini-DRS’ phenomenon effectively.
In response, the FIA has decided to implement further modifications starting from the second race of the season in China. These changes specifically target the rear wing’s maximum opening size. Originally set at 2 millimeters under a load of 75 kilograms, the allowance has been reduced to 0.5 millimeters, with a 0.25 millimeter tolerance in China due to the sudden nature of this change.
By the time the action heads to Japan, the tolerance will be eliminated, enforcing a strict limit of a 0.5 millimeter gap.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, Red Bull’s inquiry during the winter testing in Bahrain was prompted by suspicions about McLaren, Ferrari, Alpine, and Haas potentially exploiting a controversial rear wing setup.
This raises the crucial question: will these rule adjustments shift the competitive dynamics in Formula 1?
Interestingly, McLaren showcased remarkable speed at the Australian Grand Prix, with Lando Norris clinching victory, which only adds intrigue to how the upcoming regulations might impact the championship race.
