Flexiwings 2025

[SiLo]

So, was it Barcelona where the flexi-wings were banned? Is it going to hit hard for McLaren?

Yes and no

We won't know until Barcelona to be honest.

[AR3-GP]

All teams will lose something. There is a tradeoff between straight line speed and wing downforce at minimum. If you just make the parts stiffer, you'll be slower on the straights. If you make the new wing less loaded, you lose load in the corners. Then there can also be more complex effects. Aero balance could be disrupted. That can cause more slip and tire wear. It can also make the car more difficult to drive.

[Rikhart]

So, was it Barcelona where the flexi-wings were banned? Is it going to hit hard for McLaren?

Yes and no

We won't know until Barcelona to be honest.

Exactly this. And you can already at least theorize, looking at the videos above, that teams with these spaghetti wings will be indeed hit quite hard. We already had some hints, courtesy of Mercedes.

[SiLo]

Yes and no

We won't know until Barcelona to be honest.

Exactly this. And you can already at least theorize, looking at the videos above, that teams with these spaghetti wings will be indeed hit quite hard. We already had some hints, courtesy of Mercedes.

Depends if those wings are already able to pass the new tests.

[Gaara]

What are the new rules considering the flexi wings? I can only say people talking about it. But what are they?

[AR3-GP]

What are the new rules considering the flexi wings? I can only say people talking about it. But what are they?

Note the language highlighted in pink.

[Seanspeed]

Said it before, but back in 2011-2013 the FIA was frequently chasing down Red Bull's flexi wings with harsher load tests and they never made any difference at all. Red Bull found a way to keep passing the tests with their wings still noticeably flexing on-track beyond what was intended, and the competitive picture never changed. Heck, Red Bull ended that set of regulations more dominant than ever.

So I'm still quite dubious this will have any notable effect on the competition when it's only being regulated by static load testing.

[vorticism]

Are the "From 28 May 2025 onwards" items the same thing as TD018?

I wonder if we'll see a see a return of inboard flap adjusters. Newey had remarked that he wanted a stable aero platform for RB18, and that car afair used inboard FW flap adjusters which inherently inhibit inboard flap deflection. That would have been intentional. Not adding the complexity of an aeroelastic FW which if not properly integrated would have degraded the goal of a stable aero platform--another example of RB18 not pursuing absolute drag & downforce values as a goal in and of itself, rather seeking stability and consistency.

[AR3-GP]

Are the "From 28 May 2025 onwards" items the same thing as TD018?

Yes.

[vorticism]

Thanks. Have there been any explanations of the 28 May date? And not setting it for, say, 28 April, or 28 March, or 28 February...

[Watto]

Thanks. Have there been any explanations of the 28 May date? And not setting it for, say, 28 April, or 28 March, or 28 February...

Believe the explanation is the time it takes to design validate and produce a front wing was 6 months?

I tend to things it's BS if they failed an inspection post race I think you could bet your bottom dollar they would come up with at least a temporary solution before the next race.

[SiLo]

60N doesn't seem like a lot of force for a wing?

[F1NAC]

60N doesn't seem like a lot of force for a wing?

It's a load on a trailing edge of a flap. Based on it's size and thickness it it something

[AR3-GP]

Said it before, but back in 2011-2013 the FIA was frequently chasing down Red Bull's flexi wings with harsher load tests and they never made any difference at all. Red Bull found a way to keep passing the tests with their wings still noticeably flexing on-track beyond what was intended, and the competitive picture never changed. Heck, Red Bull ended that set of regulations more dominant than ever.

So I'm still quite dubious this will have any notable effect on the competition when it's only being regulated by static load testing.

Mercedes have made a TD compliant wing and it is visibly much stiffer, but anything is possible. Mclaren may be able to figure out how to undermine the new test better than Mercedes did or Mclaren could develop in a different direction to have a faster car without the wing.

[bluechris]

Said it before, but back in 2011-2013 the FIA was frequently chasing down Red Bull's flexi wings with harsher load tests and they never made any difference at all. Red Bull found a way to keep passing the tests with their wings still noticeably flexing on-track beyond what was intended, and the competitive picture never changed. Heck, Red Bull ended that set of regulations more dominant than ever.

So I'm still quite dubious this will have any notable effect on the competition when it's only being regulated by static load testing.

Mercedes have made a TD compliant wing and it is visibly much stiffer, but anything is possible. Mclaren may be able to figure out how to undermine the new test better than Mercedes did or Mclaren could develop in a different direction to have a faster car without the wing.

And we all saw how good they were in Monaco.
Some how people believe that suddenly McLaren after so many years with nothing, they became magicians and aero Guru's.