FIA to inspect F1 wing flexibility prior to Melbourne.
"It is still ongoing"
By GMM
10 March 2025 - 07:32
A week ahead of the 2025 season's commencement, the first technical dispute has already arisen. Just a day before his long journey to Melbourne, reigning world champion Max Verstappen asserted that he does not consider himself the favorite. "Currently, there is only one team, and that is McLaren," he stated to Viaplay. "They are clearly ahead of the rest." The Dutch driver disclosed that Red Bull's off-season was not entirely trouble-free, mentioning that he "can’t envision" contending for victory on Sunday. "Bumps and going over curbs remain an issue. The car also understeers too much for my preference," Verstappen noted. Team adviser Dr. Helmut Marko wholeheartedly concurred. "Our car has made progress, but it still has some weaknesses," he told Osterreich. "If we can address those in Australia, things won’t appear too grim." Red Bull's position comes amid technical director Pierre Wache's publicly expressed worries regarding the flexibility of the front and rear wings on two main competitors. "It is still ongoing," he remarked, in light of reports that Red Bull has contacted the FIA and might even be ready to file a protest. "I believe Ferrari and McLaren are still utilizing the mini-DRS concept." FIA scrutineers were observed examining the McLaren and Ferrari wings closely during the pre-season test, and reports from Italy now indicate that they may even visit those teams' factories before Melbourne for a thorough inspection. Stricter checks on rear wings will be implemented in Melbourne, although the FIA plans to take stronger measures regarding front wing flexibility at the Barcelona event in June. "The change is not substantial enough to completely alter the competitive balance," predicts Williams boss James Vowles. He also mentioned that attributing McLaren's current advantage solely to wing flexibility would be "a mistake." "It’s a cohesive package across all aspects," Vowles stated. "McLaren has simply grasped the development trajectory of this type of car correctly."
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