Ferrari and Red Bull confirm changes to the front wing design

On the back of the introduction of the stricter load test for the rear wing, Ferrari and Red Bull have confirmed that they have been forced to introduce tweaks to their design for the Spanish Grand Prix.

Following issues with the flexibility of certain aerodynamic parts, the governing body had 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 had 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 have 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 this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

Ahead of the weekend, Ferrari has confirmed updates to the "chordwise and spanwise loading distribution of the wing elements, together with a revised endplate and outboard tip rolls."

The Scuderia noted that the modification is not track specific, but it is phased "with the update of the articles 3.15.4 and 3.15.5 of the technical regulations, effective from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards."

Similarly, Red Bull have confirmed that they have made tweaks to the "first and second elements" of the front wing while "flap elements and tips are consequential to the first two elements."

The Milton Keynes-based outfit explained that changes: "In order to comply with the revisions to the 2025 F1 Technical Regulations applicable from the Spanish GP, the front wing geometry has been revised to gain stiffness at minimal weight cost and then iterated to pursue the load characteristics sought."

Furthermore, Ferrari have brought updated to the rear wing, having redesigned the tip and roll on its high downforce top rear wing. The Italian squad note dthat the "the high downforce top rear wing, carried over from 2024 and made available in Imola, received a local update to the outboard tip and roll geometries. Local flow features are improved, returning an efficient load increase."