FIA to further control wing flexibility in 2025

A controversial issue in the 2024 season, wing flexibility will be subject to increased controls and more extensive, one-off tests in 2025.

Published 01/02/2025 à 11:03

Dorian Grangier

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FIA to further control wing flexibility in 2025

© Joao Filipe / DPPI

Could this soon be the end of the controversy over the flexibility of the fins? F1 ? In any case, the FIA ​​will try to quell the controversy over this during the 2025 season. The governing body announced on Friday that it will strengthen controls on the flexibility of wings with tests planned during the season, during Grand Prix weekends, via an update to Technical Directive No. 8 of its regulations concerning the flexibility of elements in F1. Thus, the rear wings will be subject to tests from the first Grand Prix of the season, in Australia (March 16), while the flexibility of the front wings will be checked later, during the Spanish Grand Prix (June 1).

"Following further analysis carried out by the department car of the FIA ​​after the conclusion of the 2024 season, we are determined to ensure that bodywork flexibility is no longer a point of contention for the 2025 season, indicates the FIAAs part of this effort, we will increase the scope of rear wing testing from the start of the 2025 season, and additional front wing testing will be introduced from the Spanish GP onwards. This phased approach allows teams to adapt without having to unnecessarily discard existing components. These adjustments are intended to refine our ability to control and enforce bodywork flexibility rules, ensuring a level playing field for all competitors to promote fair and exciting racing.”

In 2024, the flexibility of the wings had been a source of discord within the paddock: in Baku, the rear wing of the McLaren MCL38 had caused controversy because of its “mini-DRS” effect, caused by the opening of the ends of the upper flap of the rear wing in the long straights of the Azeri circuit. A phenomenon which had notably helped Oscar piastri to gain a few km/h in a straight line and win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix ahead Charles Leclerc. McLaren's front wings and Mercedes were also under fire from critics for their somewhat excessive flexibility during the Italian Grand Prix.

F1 2025 technical regulations amended by FIA

Last December, The FIA ​​had already validated several changes in the technical regulations to avoid the return of the “mini-DRS” in F1 next season. In the revision of the 2025 F1 technical regulations, it is now specified that: "With the exception of the driver-adjustable wing (DRS, Ed.) when deployed, all aerodynamic components or bodywork influencing the aerodynamic performance of the car must be rigidly and immobile relative to their reference frame defined in Article 3.3." The nuance brought comes in the addition of the mention "when [the DRS] is deployed", which was not present before and now means that the rear wing must remain perfectly fixed and motionless except when activating the DRS.

Further in this 2025 technical regulation, in article 3.10.1 dealing with the regulations concerning the rear wing, the FIA ​​added some clarifications to define a minimum gap between the components of the rear wing when the DRS is not activated. “At any point along the wingspan, the rear wing profiles (as defined in Article 3.10.1) must have a minimum separation of between 9,4 mm and 13 mm. This applies when the DRS is not in the deployed state (as defined in Article 3.10.10) and will be measured using a spherical gauge.”

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Dorian Grangier

A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.

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