FIA releases the results of its flexi-wing investigation
Formula One's governing body, the FIA have released the results of their front-wing flexibility investigation, confirming that all teams comply with the regulations.
During several races that took place in the summer months, Formula One's governing body, the FIA performed additional checks of the flexibility of front wings, using video footage. The first round that saw the Paris-based body carry out a test was the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
While the technical regulation allows a certain degree of flexibility of various aerodynamic parts, including the front wing, the FIA felt in recent months that some teams took the 'flexi-wing' approach to extremes.
The new ground-effect cars have proved difficult to balance out and aerodynamic upgrades have unsettled the balance of several cars on multiple occasions over the course of the last two years.
Mercedes and McLaren have been believed to attract the biggest attention of some rival teams and the FIA.
At the start of the year, the Brackley-headquartered team often found a setup that brought the car into its operating window in certain types of corners, but it was difficult to handle in other types of turns. Mercedes brought a new front wing to the Monaco Grand Prix that suddenly improved the balance of the W15 with Aston Martin having debuted a similar configuration at Silverstone.
The FIA has now confirmed that no Formula One team is in breach of the technical regulations regarding their front wing designs.
FIA's statement reads as follows: "The FIA is examining front wings at every event with numerous checks (conformity of surfaces, conformity of deflections) with respect to the relevant F1 Technical Regulation. All front wings are currently compliant with the 2024 regulations.
"Since the Belgium Grand Prix, the FIA has acquired additional data during FP1 and FP2 sessions to assess dynamic behaviours through an FIA-mandated video camera which captures areas of the front wing which are not visible through the official FOM cameras.
"This exercise will continue at least up until Singapore to ensure every team will have been running the mandated FIA camera on different types of tracks (low, medium, high and very high downforce).
"This will ensure a large database allowing the FIA to draw the most objective picture of the situation and quantify differences between the various dynamic patterns observed on track."
It adds that "no component is infinitely stiff" and this sets the provision for a small amount of flex under a given load. The rules state that "any part of the trailing edge of any front wing flap may deflect no more than 5mm, when measured along the loading axis, when a 60N point load is applied normal to the flap," per Article 3.15.5 in the 2024 technical regulations.
"The front wing has been a challenging area throughout the years, because the aerodynamic loading patterns between different competitors varies and it is therefore difficult to find a load vector which will cover all types of front wing construction.
"Other areas of the car – including rear wing and floor edges – have much more consistent aerodynamic loading patterns across the grid, making for a more universal load-deflection test.
"The FIA has the right to introduce new tests if irregularities are suspected. There are no plans for any short-term measures, but we are evaluating the situation with the medium and long-term in mind."
