Vasseur suggests that Barcelona "may be a reset for everyone"
Ahead of the introduction of more stingent load test for the front wings, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur has revealed that every team will be forced to bring a new front wing for Barcelona.
Following issues with the flexibility of certain aerodynamic parts, the governing body confirmed ahead of the new season that more stringent tests for the front and rear wing would be introduced in 2025.
While the technical regulations allow a certain degree of flexibility of various aerodynamic parts, including the front wing, the FIA had felt that some teams had taken the 'flexi-wing' approach to extremes.
Although the FIA previously indicated that they would not change their approach to testing regarding the flexibility of aerodynamic parts, it announced in January that it would clamp down on the manner in which Formula 1 teams can bend their wings in the new season.
The new deflection tests will come into force in two steps. The stricter tests for the rear wings was introduced at the start of the upcoming season, and they have become even stricter since than as the FIA was not fully satisfied with how certain teams approached the rules.
The more stringent deflection tests on the front wings will be applied from the Spanish Grand Prix.
Speaking of how the more stringent test might affect the pecking order, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur noted that all teams will be forced to introduce a new configuration.
“In Barcelona we will all have a new front wing… Maybe it will be a performance reset for everyone.”
Following Ferrari’s disappointing result last time out at Miami, where Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished only 6th and 7th, Vasseur said that the most frustrating fact was the performance deficit to McLaren.
“We arrived 6th and 7th instead of 7th and 6th. I prefer to talk about why we finished one minute away from McLaren.
“Where we lost so many points it was in qualifying… Here, however, it was the worst of the whole year.”
“I think McLaren [are] on another planet. We never said that we could fight with them…”
As for the intra-team battle between Leclerc and Hamilton, the Frenchman defended Ferrari’s approach.
“It didn’t take us that long, something like a half land. When you have two cars on different strategies, the first thing to understand for me is whether those behind are faster because of the DRS or not.
“Honestly, I think we did what had to be done. You can always discuss whether it would have been better to do half a round before or after, but in all honesty we did ours.”
“I talked to Lewis and I fully understand his frustration. They are champions… First of all we race for Ferrari and as a team I think we did a good job," concluded Vasseur.
