Front wings: Drivers do not expect a shake-up in the hierarchy

This is obviously one of the main topics in the paddock as the Formula 1 arrives this weekend in Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix. The ninth round of the season marks the introduction of stricter controls on the flexibility of the front wings of the various Formula 1 cars. While the flexibility of the rear wings has already been subject to less tolerance since the first Grand Prix in Australia, the FIA ​​has given teams time to prepare in terms of the front wings.

As is often the case before the introduction of new technical regulations, or at least stricter controls over the current regulations, observers are wondering about the changes to be expected at the hierarchy level. Interviewed at a press conference, some drivers, such as Carlos Sainz, do not expect this new technical directive to change things in depth.

"Many people have talked about this, but I don't think it will change things to the extent that some people imagine.", explained the Spaniard from Williams. "It will still be a front wing, it will just be a little less flexible than before. I don't expect more than a tenth of an advantage or disadvantage across the different cars, depending on how flexible the previous wings were. It's true that a tenth is a lot in the field, but it shouldn't make that much difference."

No worries for Norris

While he currently drives the fastest car on the grid, the McLaren MCL39, Lando Norris also admits to being particularly calm about these stricter flexibility controls. It is natural to imagine at first glance that such a change would aim to reduce the Woking team's lead, but the latter indicates that it has prepared well for these changes, and the winner of the last Monaco Grand Prix is ​​not worried about this ninth meeting of the season.

"I'm not worried about that at all. There will definitely be some small adjustments to be made here and there in terms of aerodynamic balance. But in itself, this shouldn't particularly change the way the team operates and prepares for the weekend."

Teams 'too well prepared' to suffer from new directive

It is mainly at the level of this subject of aerodynamic balance between the front and the rear of the car that the technical directive would seem to have the greatest impact. As Carlos Sainz indicated, however, the Formula 1 teams are sufficiently prepared today to arrive at the circuit with a good idea of ​​the modifications to be made. The three test sessions planned before qualifying will also allow everyone to properly adjust.

“We have a lot of tools, mechanically and aerodynamically, to set up these cars. So I think that even though it might be a bigger challenge on paper, we will still have three free practice sessions. We will see how the car behaves in Free Practice 1, and we will take the necessary measures to ensure that the overall balance is good. The teams have also been running a lot in the simulator with this new front wing. The teams are too well prepared today, and they can counter these changes.”

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