F1 set for tougher tests on wing flexing

In the 2025 season, Formula 1’s governing body will start putting more stringent wing flexing tests in place.

McLaren’s victory in the constructors’ championship was regarded as a key factor in the ability to use the flexibility of the front and rear wings while adhering to the rules.

As the championship came to an end, they engaged in a number of rows between them and Red Bull rivals.

The FIA’s official statement stated that “we are committed to making sure that the 2025 season’s bodywork flexibility is no longer a hot topic.”

In the first half of the new season, wings will undergo two phases of tougher tests, according to the FIA.

The first of these, which applies to rear wings, will be introduced at the season-opening race in Australia on 14-16 March.

The second, regarding front wings, will come into force at the Spanish Grand Prix, running from 30 May to 1 June.

The spokesperson continued, “This phased approach eliminates the need to unnecessarily discard existing components.”

These adjustments are intended to improve our ability to enforce bodywork flexibility regulations and create a level playing field for all competitors in order to promote fair and exciting racing.

The FIA claimed that the change in testing was a result of “the FIA single-seater department’s continued analysis after the 2024 season finished.”

The spokesperson, however, refuted the technical guidance detailing the stricter tests, which was first made public by Italy’s autoracer. it website, was a response to complaints from Red Bull about the flexibility of McLaren’s wings.

Teams have long used flexing wings as a means of improving performance.

The wing flicks back to its maximum downforce-producing specification as the car slows for corners to increase grip on the straight as the wing changes shape under increased load, which increases straight-line speed.

Teams can run the cars in general with more downforce in the corners without sacrificing straight-line speed, which would ordinarily result from stronger wings.

Due to the inherent design challenges that high- and low-speed cornering pose, this has become especially crucial in the current generation of cars.

Red Bull struggled to compete against them last year because of their dominant start to the season.

After defeating Lando Norris of McLaren in the second half of the championship, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won a fourth successive world title.

However, Red Bull came in third place in the constructors’ championship behind McLaren and Ferrari due to their performance struggles and the poor season that followed for Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez.