The FIA has decided to increase scrutiny on the flexibility of Formula 1 car rear wings, a measure that could influence McLaren and Australian driver Oscar Piastri’s championship ambitions. Following the recent Australian Grand Prix, a technical directive was issued mandating stricter load-deflection tests for rear wings, set to take effect at the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix.
Teams are facing a tight deadline to implement these changes, with the Shanghai International Circuit race just days away. The FIA stated that their analysis of rear-wing deformations during the Australian race indicated enough reason to enforce tougher testing standards. From the Chinese Grand Prix onwards, the acceptable flex in rear wings will be significantly reduced from the previous measurement set in Melbourne.
During the Australian race, cars underwent a static load test that imposed a 75-kilogram vertical load on the rear wing’s mainplane, with a permissible deviation of two millimetres. This tolerance will drop to just 0.5 millimetres for the rest of the season, with a 0.25-millimetre buffer added due to the short time frame for adjustment.
While all cars passed the initial regulations in Melbourne, it is reported that teams including McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes were close to the limits and could face penalties or disqualifications under the new, stricter rules. Last September, McLaren was alleged to have cheated after Piastri’s car displayed noticeable flexing of the rear wing during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – a race he ultimately won.
The incident drew attention from both fans and analysts who observed that as Piastri’s car accelerated, the rear wing flexed, effectively widening the gap between its panels. This flexing reduced aerodynamic drag, creating a sort of “mini-DRS” effect, despite the absence of an active drag reduction system (DRS) at that moment.
The DRS system allows for reduced air resistance during overtakes but is only available to trailing cars within specific zones. Following the Azerbaijan race, the FIA requested that McLaren adjust their rear-wing design based on a fresh interpretation of the regulations ahead of the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.
Changes to load-deflection tests for various components of the car were already on the agenda, and the FIA’s latest directive accelerates this process to mitigate any regulatory loopholes. Teams will begin practice for the Chinese Grand Prix this Friday, facing a significant challenge in adapting to these new restrictions in time for the race.