P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur believes another factor is more important to performance in F1 than flexi-wings.
According to Fred Vasseur, mastering Pirelli’s tyres is a more significant performance differentiator than flexi-wings following an FIA crackdown.
Although the FIA imposed stricter tests on front-wing flexing at the Spanish GP, McLaren emerged dominant in a one-two victory, showcasing an impressive performance with a fastest lap 1.2s quicker than the next competitor, Max Verstappen’s Red Bull.
Vasseur, before the Barcelona race, suggested that the regulatory changes could have a significant impact, but ultimately, he believes that the challenging Pirelli tyres play a bigger role in performance discrepancies than flexi-wings.
Despite acknowledging the importance of front-wing adjustments, Vasseur emphasized the crucial role of tire management in race outcomes, highlighting the intricacies of understanding tire behavior and compound performance across teams.
Ultimately, Vasseur emphasizes that even minor performance changes can significantly affect race positions, but he notes that McLaren’s consistent edge over competitors is due to a combination of factors beyond just aerodynamics, highlighting the complexity of balancing performance elements in Formula 1 racing.
