Ferrari and Red Bull want clarification from the FIA about how far flexi-wings can be exploited in F1, amid fresh intrigue over the designs of McLaren and Mercedes.
Flexi-wings have become a talking point this season, as teams have found making use of this area key to overcoming some of the intrinsic balance problems that dog the current generation of ground-effect cars.
In response to growing interest in the paddock over the matter, the FIA began a series of video checks of various designs at the Belgian Grand Prix in a bid to better understand what competitors were up to.
The governing body made it clear that its move was an information-gathering exercise rather than aimed at finding out if any teams are breaking the rules.
The ultimate aim is to work out if the current load tests used to check the flexibility of wings remain fit for purpose for the long term.
The FIA has said several times that it has no interest in making any rule changes this season and, if it feels it needs to react, that this will only take place from the start of 2025 at the earliest.
However, the growing competitive form of the Mercedes and McLaren teams in recent months – allied to some interesting onboard footage of wings flexing, rotating and flapping at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix – has prompted competitors to question whether their designs go too far.
It is understood that Ferrari and Red Bull, aware from previous discussions that the FIA is happy with the current cars, want to get a better idea from FIA technical chief Nikolas Tombazis of exactly what is and is not allowed so they can exploit this area better if needed.
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko told Austrian broadcaster ORF after qualifying at the Italian Grand Prix: “The front wing of McLaren and Mercedes must be analysed.”
Asked by media if he shared Red Bull’s interest in the flexi-wing situation, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said: “This is a discussion that I don’t want to have with you, I will have it with Tombazis.
“But we have to respect the decision of the FIA. We will have, again, the discussion…”
He added: “We have to deal [with] it internally with the FIA.”
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner explained at the Italian Grand Prix that he had to trust the FIA over the matter.
“I think the regulations are very clear and that’s an FIA issue,” he said. “Obviously they are tested and they pass, but then you have to…
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