P1racenews AI automatic summary:
As Red Bull and Ferrari raise an eyebrow at the behaviour of McLaren and Mercedes’ front wings, Gary Anderson suggests a small rule tweak he reckons would clear the situation up
In Formula 1, discussions about front wing flexibility are not new, sparking interest from teams like Red Bull and Ferrari seeking clarity from the FIA on the rules. McLaren and Mercedes seem to be operating within the allowable limits, as per the current regulations. The challenge lies in achieving controlled flexibility for optimal aero performance, especially crucial under the existing ground effect rules. Despite the requirement for bodywork rigidity, some level of movement is inevitable, with load tests being the pivotal factor in determining legality while allowing for necessary flexibility beyond mere rigidity. The regulations specify load test application locations, facilitating deflection measurement rather than rotation; a potential rule change could enhance testing capabilities to include rotation assessment without altering loads significantly. Proposed load positions by each team offer insights on potential deflection or rotation boundary-pushing, with aspects like mainplane length and wing width differentials crucial in aerodynamic performance evaluation. Additional equipment requirements seem minimal, primarily necessitating teams to provide load application pads, maintaining dimensional consistency across interpretations and evaluations.
