Lewis Hamilton has voiced unhappiness over the FIA’s “wiggle room” on Red Bull’s flexing rear wing.
Back in Spain, the seven-time world champion made a point of highlighting the “bendy” wing, which leans back more than the Mercedes at high speed to reduce drag.
This is certainly not the first time the Milton Keynes-based outfit has been at the centre of a flexy wing debate, and in response, the FIA announced new load tests would be introduced from the French Grand Prix next month.
“We will be looking out for any anomalous behaviour of the deformation of the rear wing,” said FIA single-seater technical head Nikolas Tombazis in a technical directive to the teams.
“In particular, we will not tolerate any persistent out-of-plane deformation that may be contrived to circumvent the symmetrical loading applied in the load-deflection tests.
“Should we observe any characteristics that indicate exploitation of this area, we will introduce further load-deflection tests as necessary.”
Red Bull was quick to play down the matter and denied there were any legality questions over their rear wings.
“Of course the cars are scrutineered thoroughly, there are pullback tests, and there’s all kinds of different tests it has to pass,” team boss Christian Horner said
“The FIA are completely happy with the car, that it has passed all of those tests that are pretty stringent.
“So I was surprised to see his comments on that. But it’s something that Toto [Wolff, Mercedes boss] has mentioned to me previously. I doubt it was Lewis’ opinion, so probably came from elsewhere.”
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Advisor Helmut Marko wasn’t surprised by the FIA’s move but also insisted the new load tests would have no effect on Red Bull’s performance.
“That’s an old story. During our World Championship years, I think we had to improve the front wings two or three times in one season,” he told Motorsport-Magazin.com.
“The FIA draws up regulations and the teams try to use them as optimally as possible. But it’s not just Red Bull – other teams are just as affected.
“We assume we may have to make minimal improvements with regard to the interpretation that is now coming. This is a different interpretation than the previous one.
“But it’s not the case that it would somehow be decisive for the championship.”
Hamilton’s problem now, however, is the delay in introducing the new load tests mean Red Bull will have the current wing on Azerbaijan’s long straights.
“It (the wing) is going to be worth at least six-tenths [in Baku], probably,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think we need to continue to apply pressure to the FIA to just do a better job of controlling things, you know?
“If you look at the last race, for example, we were supposed to all keep our [tyre] blankets on in qualifying. Red Bull were allowed to take theirs off, and no-one else is allowed to. So I think we just need to make sure it’s consistent for everyone.
“What you’ve got to acknowledge is that these engineers are geniuses, so if you leave them wiggle room, they will wiggle.”
