The Formula 1 is intervening with the front wings this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, but Max Verstappen expects little commotion. According to the four-time world champion, the balance of the car changes slightly, but the pecking order remains largely intact.
“It probably changes the balance of the car a bit, but it doesn’t matter much to us. You shouldn’t expect big time differences between the teams,” Verstappen said on Thursday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
From the Spanish Grand Prix, motorsport federation FIA is intervening with the front wings of Formula 1 cars. From this weekend, they must comply with a stricter test protocol. The FIA has reduced the maximum deflection under static load from 15 to 10 millimeters.
The FIA wants to further limit the use of flexible wings. According to the technical regulations, all aerodynamic components must be “rigid” and must not move or deform while driving.
The change stems from concerns that several teams were using wings that flexed just enough at high speed to provide an aerodynamic advantage. This would not directly violate the rules.
‘Maybe we didn’t apply it properly’
With the tightened test, the FIA hopes to reduce this gray area. McLaren, this year the team to beat, in particular, is said to benefit greatly from the so-called flexiwings.
Teams may have more problems with the balance of the car due to the rule change. Verstappen is not afraid of that. “It won’t be more difficult for us, I’m pretty sure of that. Those wings have never really given us much extra performance,” said Verstappen.
“Maybe we didn’t apply it properly or just didn’t get everything out of it. But even for other teams, I think it’s easy to manage. If you have a good car, it remains a good car. The front wing bends a little less, but you can technically compensate for that.”
Norris is not worried
Lando Norris, last Sunday’s winner of the Monaco Grand Prix and number two in the World Championship standings, does not expect his team McLaren to be hit hard by the rule change. “They are some small tweaks, but nothing big that requires us to change our approach. It doesn’t matter much to us.”
According to Carlos Sainz, the new rules could at most make a tenth of a difference. “There is a lot of talk about it, but in the end it is just a front wing,” said the Williams driver. “It gets a little stiffer and flexes a little less. I wouldn’t expect more than a tenth of a second difference. It’s nothing that you suddenly notice as a driver.”
On Friday, the teams and drivers can see for the first time what effect the new regulations have. Then the first free practice for the Spanish Grand Prix is on the program at 1.30 pm. The race starts on Sunday at 3:00 PM.