Rear wing flex and FIA regulatory test 2021

[dans79]

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ferra ... n/6512023/

Mattia Binotto

“Yes, we are exploiting,” said Binotto about teams pushing the flexible wing rules.

“I think all the teams are exploiting somehow what's possible, and what we believe is right.

“The [FIA] technical directive is clarifying furthermore, and we will need to slightly adapt.

“I think it's impacting Ferrari, certainly on the laptime from what it seems very, very little. But there are some redesigns which need to be prepared to comply fully to the technical directive.”

[214270]

I might add that this there’s nothing stopping the FIA from seizing a rear wing assembly just like they did with Ferrari’s PU a few yrs ago.

That could be quite tasty if the bendy wing makes an appearance again.

[SmallSoldier]

They have to give the teams some time to make changes, but yes it would be nice to see the FIA give them a bit less time. Maybe we will see some protests in Baku?

And so what? (innocent question) how will the steward deem those problematic wings illegal? those wing pass the tests that the FIA has put in place. Will the stewards improvise a new test?

In 2014 the Stewards deemed the Red Bull front wing illegal without having additional tests.

A protest will also imply further inspection of the rear wing and after Ferrari admitted that their wing flexes, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case.

Some teams will be looking hard at the rear wings in Baku and it wouldn’t be surprising if Mercedes protests Red Bull’s and someone like Mclaren protests Ferrari’s and Alpine’s.

The FIA then can keep the rear wings used and further test / analyze them with penalties given after the fact (for example, the situation with the rear brakes on the Racing Point last year) or simply disqualify them depending on the timing of the protest.

It could be very interesting.


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[littlebigcat]

Horner should ask his rumoured soon to be friends at VAG what the difference is between adhering to the rules and passing the test for the rules

[214270]

Horner should ask his rumoured soon to be friends at VAG what the difference is between adhering to the rules and passing the test for the rules

Well played.

[peaty]

Horner should ask his rumoured soon to be friends at VAG what the difference is between adhering to the rules and passing the test for the rules

I don't get it

[ironben88]

Team bosses in glass motorhomes....

Pre Season Testing - That F1 logo really comes in handy


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXngeVa8hOE

[Juzh]

Horner should ask his rumoured soon to be friends at VAG what the difference is between adhering to the rules and passing the test for the rules

I don't get it

Dieselgate

[Stu]

Toto is now threatening with protests in baku and even mentioning ICA, so you bet this'll blow up soon. He does it in his usual one dimensional approach. First he claims video evidence shows wings are illegal because theirs doesn't bend, then immediately goes on and claims new tests present new opportunities they'll have to take advantage off by softening their RW as if that somehow won't go against "spirit of the rules" .

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/wolf ... k/6511928/

“We will need to modify our wing,” said Wolff. “We need to soften it. Our wing is extremely rigid complying to the famous article 3.8 that [demands] it must remain immobile.

“The new test that has been introduced is a half-baked solution, which is giving us opportunity. So the whole thing can soften and bend more in future.”

Why? You just said wing must be immobile, no matter what tests are applied to them. Introspection = zero.

Which is weird, as we have seen video evidence of the Merc rear wing and bodywork flexing....

Bodywork is the term referenced in the regs, I believe.

Unless the camera is flexing relative to the car (that is sarcasm, btw)

[peaty]

Horner should ask his rumoured soon to be friends at VAG what the difference is between adhering to the rules and passing the test for the rules

I don't get it

Dieselgate

Thanks!

I don't think they are the only ones though...

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mercedes-b ... e-daimler/

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/indu ... sions-case

[dans79]

Team bosses in glass motorhomes....

Pre Season Testing - That F1 logo really comes in handy
https://i.ibb.co/F6FP2Hw/Screenshot-202 ... -05-55.png
https://i.ibb.co/7SkrLcX/Screenshot-202 ... -05-36.png
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXngeVa8hOE

Portugal

[ironben88]

Team bosses in glass motorhomes....

Pre Season Testing - That F1 logo really comes in handy
https://i.ibb.co/F6FP2Hw/Screenshot-202 ... -05-55.png
https://i.ibb.co/7SkrLcX/Screenshot-202 ... -05-36.png
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXngeVa8hOE

Portugal
https://i.ibb.co/XbwFy15/comparison.jpg

I'm not doubting that RB's FW is flexing, they all do. It looks like the Merc is flexing a lot more though.
I wonder if this difference is due to the different aero philosophies.

[Marty_Y]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/ ... p-in-court

"In Monaco there was frustration that the new tests had not been implemented sooner.

“It is incomprehensible that in four weeks you can’t stiffen up a rear wing for the track that is most affected by a flexible rear wing,” Wolff said. “Delaying the introduction [of new tests] for whatever reason leaves us in a legal vacuum and leaves the door open for protests. Not only us but probably two other teams that are most affected, maybe more and a protest could end up in the ICA and that is a messy situation.”

The Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, insisted his team have complied with the regulations and his car has passed all the previous tests. But the Ferrari team principal, Mattia Binotto, admitted his team were pushing the rules to their limit and would probably have to adapt their wing to pass the new tests.

Horner was bullish in his response, warning it was unfeasible to expect teams to make fundamental changes in short periods of time. “There has to be a lead time, you can’t expect parts to be magicked up overnight,” he said. “The car complies to the regulations that have been there for the last 18 months and then the test has been changed. There has to be a notice period for that.” "

[dans79]

I wonder if this difference is due to the different aero philosophies.

Some potential there, and also because the teams have a decent amount of freedom as to how those cameras are placed.

[LM10]

So how are the teams going to stiffen up the rear wings? Is it going to be a big time or big money consuming thing?