Flexiwings 2024

[Farnborough]

I understand it to be considered as "movable aerodynamic surface" that proven by its specific construction to facilitate that movement.

As people have described "grey" or debatable as to its inclusion.

Clearly, to design that characteristic into the component for the gain it was targeting, is covered by that wording. Loosely maybe, but definitely under some level of control that necessary "discussion" with McL team.

But not hard in definite and absolute limit, like the other two incident given as examples.

[Vanja #66]

I don't think there was a TD or rule change on the RW . FIA just told McLaren to change their wings

Exactly, TD 34 is very clear on that matter. FIA looked the other way for show and extra profit I imagine (they get a share of the yearly income)

FIA are not serious people.

They DQ Russell for being a bit underweight, DQ Ferrari for 1mm plank wear. Then MCL shows up with a wing that opens 30% when it's not supposed to and whatever, too late to DQ post race.

It's always been like that. If parts get approved pre- and post-race there's very little chance a DQ is given if all the tests were ok. FIA simply had to react already during Spa FP1 or FP2, when race sim runs were made, flap tips going up and the whole trailing edge going 20mm down is a total joke

[Luscion]

Albert Fabrega talking about and showing how Mclaren's mini drs wing worked, video is in spanish but has english closed captions

[AR3-GP]

I think it has been fairly obvious that Mclaren has been impacted by the removal of their flexible wings. It was not only the mini-DRS, but also the general flexibility of their rear wing assembly which has been reigned in.

Since then they have been experimenting more and having to live with more compromises:

COTA: Unable to pass Verstappen on the straights.
Interlagos: new lower dwf rear wing used in the sprint. Reverted to higher downforce for the race and couldn't overtake anyone.
Vegas: Too low downforce wings (chasing top speed) caused graining
Qatar: Slowest in the speed traps.

Mclaren seems more aero inefficient again like earlier in the year. Their penalty free downforce has been removed.

[f1isgood]

I think it has been fairly obvious that Mclaren has been impacted by the removal of their flexible wings. It was not only the mini-DRS, but also the general flexibility of their rear wing assembly which has been reigned in.

Since then they have been experimenting more and having to live with more compromises:

COTA: Unable to pass Verstappen on the straights.
Interlagos: new lower dwf rear wing used in the sprint. Reverted to higher downforce for the race and couldn't overtake anyone.
Vegas: Too low downforce wings (chasing top speed) caused graining
Qatar: Slowest in the speed traps.

Mclaren seems more aero inefficient again like earlier in the year. Their penalty free downforce has been removed.

Also relevant: https://racingnews365.com/red-bull-tech ... -than-grey

I would discount Brazil. You need confidence and Skill to overtake without DRS.

[organic]

AMuS article on flexiwings

https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/for ... e_vignette

decision before January

The topic came up at the last meeting of the Formula 1 Commission. Hardliners like Red Bull are demanding that the stress tests for all wings be made so strict that deliberate bending is no longer possible. Others are calling for the elasticity of the wings to be frozen at their current level for cost reasons and to nip any further escalation in the bud.

However, there is still debate about the limits. Everyone is urging the FIA to make a quick decision. The wings for the 2025 cars will go into production in January. Under the pressure of the budget cap, no one wants to build wings that will then prove to be unusable.

[stewie325]

I think it has been fairly obvious that Mclaren has been impacted by the removal of their flexible wings. It was not only the mini-DRS, but also the general flexibility of their rear wing assembly which has been reigned in.

Since then they have been experimenting more and having to live with more compromises:

COTA: Unable to pass Verstappen on the straights.
Interlagos: new lower dwf rear wing used in the sprint. Reverted to higher downforce for the race and couldn't overtake anyone.
Vegas: Too low downforce wings (chasing top speed) caused graining
Qatar: Slowest in the speed traps.

Mclaren seems more aero inefficient again like earlier in the year. Their penalty free downforce has been removed.

+ that was for rear wing only.

It would be even worse if their front wing flex was also taken away.

Look at how much Ferrari gained in COTA when they added some FW flex.

[organic]

1st edition of the 2025 regs

Attempts to clamp down on slot gap tricks.

Obviously the McLaren wing only opened the slotgap at 250+ kph, so this regulation change doesn't seem to be directly related. Maybe in trying to police that they realised they needed to firm up the area



On a sidenote, any idea what the removal of point (iv) will allow?

[Farnborough]

There was I understand, indication that the McL wing was "opening" by the method employed, bending, not under the control of the driver, as it's supposed to do.

Which maybe indicates the potential for protest looming if it was seen again in races future.

[organic]

Rumours are that flexiwings won't be clamped down on til 2026. Makes sense not to mess with things with how fantastic 2024 was.

They haven't made any changes to the front/rear wing flex regulations for 2025

[f1isgood]

Rumours are that flexiwings won't be clamped down on til 2026. Makes sense not to mess with things with how fantastic 2024 was.

They haven't made any changes to the front/rear wing flex regulations for 2025

It did everything F1 wanted as a product to make more money -- peg back Red Bull, make others more competitive.

So not very surprising.

[organic]

Rumours are that flexiwings won't be clamped down on til 2026. Makes sense not to mess with things with how fantastic 2024 was.

They haven't made any changes to the front/rear wing flex regulations for 2025

It did everything F1 wanted as a product to make more money -- peg back Red Bull, make others more competitive.

So not very surprising.

Meh. Red bull had issues in other areas. Sure they weren't beneficiaries in the early-mid part of 2024 but their lack of pace wasn't primarily to do with flexiwings which was some of the thinking at the time

[f1isgood]

Rumours are that flexiwings won't be clamped down on til 2026. Makes sense not to mess with things with how fantastic 2024 was.

They haven't made any changes to the front/rear wing flex regulations for 2025

It did everything F1 wanted as a product to make more money -- peg back Red Bull, make others more competitive.

So not very surprising.

Meh. Red bull had issues in other areas. Sure they weren't beneficiaries in the early-mid part of 2024 but their lack of pace wasn't primarily to do with flexiwings which was some of the thinking at the time

The recent Wache quote might be of interest. See the Red Bull team thread.

[FW17]

Dumbest thing to hear in F1 commentary from SKY and some forum experts is that AEROELASTICITY cannot be prevented.

[Seanspeed]

Rumours are that flexiwings won't be clamped down on til 2026. Makes sense not to mess with things with how fantastic 2024 was.

Next year is probably not gonna play out like this year, though. Balance of power has definitely shifted over the course of 2024, and if things dont change much, then Mclaren will be heavy favorites. The team that has arguably been advantaged most by the choice to not clamp down on these flexi wings.

Basically, FIA might well be actually helping the already fastest team. That's not great for a good 2025, competition-wise.