FIA considers action against flexi rear wings after McLaren’s ‘mini-DRS’ intrigue

The FIA ​​is considering taking action against the potential use of flexible rear wings in Formula 1, following the controversy sparked by McLaren’s ‘mini-DRS’.

The behaviour of McLaren’s rear wing at last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix came under the spotlight after television footage emerged of the behaviour from the car’s rear-facing camera.

The upper element of the rear wing was observed to rotate back at high speed on the straights and it appeared that it was designed so that this change in attitude opened the airfoil.

This results in less air resistance and a higher top speed, which is why it was quickly nicknamed ‘mini-DRS’.

McLaren’s design immediately attracted widespread attention from rival teams and led to calls for clarification over what is and is not permitted in terms of rear wing flexibility.

In preparation for this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, the sport’s governing body has announced that it is reviewing the evidence gathered in Baku to determine whether action should be taken.

A statement from the FIA ​​said: “The FIA ​​closely monitors the flexibility of the bodywork of all cars and reserves the right to request teams to make adjustments at any time during the season.

Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38 rear wing, Azerbaijan GP

Photo by: Giorgio Piola

“However, if a team successfully passes all deflection tests and adheres to the regulations and technical guidelines, they are considered to be in full compliance and no further action will be taken.

“The FIA ​​is currently reviewing data and additional evidence raised during the Baku GP and is considering any mitigation measures for future implementation.

“This is part of the standard process when checking technical legality, and the FIA ​​retains the authority to make regulatory changes during the season if necessary.”

Now that McLaren’s rear wing has passed the mandatory pit lane performance tests, there is no doubt that it fully complies with current regulations.

However, the debate is over whether deliberately designing a wing to flex in a certain way violates the FIA’s guidelines on what is considered acceptable flex.

A still-current FIA technical guideline (TD34), which provides guidance on flexible wings, makes it clear that certain behaviour will not be tolerated, even if wings are approved as legal in the pits.

PLUS: How F1 moved away from subjective control over flexibility

In the note, the FIA ​​says it will not take into account legal “designs whose structural characteristics are modified by secondary parameters, so as to produce (when driving on the track) a different deflection characteristic than when the vehicle is stationary during the FIA ​​controls. Examples of secondary parameters could be temperature, aerodynamic load, etc.”

Rival team bosses are keeping a close eye on developments at McLaren as more clarity is needed over what is acceptable.

McLaren MCL38 technical details

Photo by: Jon Noble

A team boss told Autosport: “Aeroelasticity has been a factor for many, many years and even if a wing passes the FIA ​​test, the rules remain very clear: the part must not be designed to flex.

“We trust the FIA ​​to say: OK, what are the limits of that? Of course everything will be flexible to a certain extent, but what is acceptable and what is not?

“We see extremities being exploited again and I think it is up to the FIA ​​to decide whether that is OK, and everyone participates, or whether it complies with the rules as they are written.”

“There is now a big spread of who is doing what, with obviously a lot of interest in McLaren’s rear wing after Baku and there is performance in it – of course there is.

“That’s why everyone chases it. But it’s about knowing what’s reasonable and what’s ridiculous.”

But while McLaren is currently at the centre of intrigue, it is reportedly not the only team whose rear wing design has come under the spotlight due to flexing on the straight or at the opening of the gap.

McLaren’s rear wing was covered as the car was assembled in the pit lane in Singapore on Thursday, reportedly in connection with the launch of a new livery later in the day.

Watch: McLaren In Charge – F1 Azerbaijan GP Analysis