Is McLaren's rear wing trick F1's next major controversy?

Summary

Formula 1's ongoing aerodynamic battle has taken a new turn with McLaren's rear wing innovation at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The wing's top element appeared to deflect at high speeds, reducing drag and potentially boosting straight-line speed. This 'mini DRS effect' could be advantageous on Baku's long straights. While the FIA has been scrutinizing front wings, McLaren's rear wing trick, currently legal, may prompt regulatory changes for 2025.

Takeaways

• 🏎️ McLaren's rear wing innovation at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix caught attention for its apparent flexibility.
• 🔍 The FIA has been cracking down on rear wing flexibility since mid-2021 to prevent aerodynamic gain through illegal means.
• 📹 Footage showed McLaren's rear wing top element deflecting at high speeds, suggesting a design to reduce drag.
• 📉 The innovation could provide a minor speed advantage, especially beneficial on tracks like Baku with mixed layouts.
• 🏁 McLaren's rear wing design was a strategic move to counter a weakness identified in their 2023 season.
• 🚀 The team claimed to have lost nearly a second per lap due to the need for a larger rear wing, which they've now improved.
• 🆕 For the 2024 season, McLaren introduced a new family of rear wings with modern concepts, possibly incorporating front wing technology.
• 🔍 The FIA is currently not investigating McLaren's rear wing, but they have been focusing on front wings since the summer break.
• 📉 F1 teams are constantly seeking to exploit the gray areas of regulations to gain an aerodynamic advantage.
• 🔧 The FIA may need to update its testing regime to cover new areas of aerodynamic exploitation by teams like McLaren.

Q & A

What was the apparent trick McLaren used on its rear wing during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

The script suggests that McLaren used a trick where the top element of the rear wing, especially the part that opens when the DRS is engaged, appeared to bend or twist slightly at its outer edges at high speeds. This would increase the slot gap between the two main wing elements when DRS was not in use, reducing drag and potentially increasing straight-line speed.

How does reducing drag at high speeds benefit a Formula 1 car?

Reducing drag at high speeds can give a car a small straight-line speed boost, which is beneficial on tracks with long straights like the one in Baku. This can be especially advantageous for a leading car trying to fend off faster competitors on those straights.

What is DRS and how does it relate to the McLaren's rear wing trick?

DRS, or Drag Reduction System, is a mechanism in Formula 1 that allows drivers to reduce drag temporarily by opening a flap on the rear wing to increase straight-line speed. The McLaren's trick involves the top element of the rear wing that opens for DRS, but the twist or bend occurs even when DRS is not in use.

How does the rear wing trick potentially give McLaren an advantage over other teams?

The trick could allow McLaren to have a car that is faster on the straights without using DRS, giving them an edge over competitors who might need to use DRS to achieve similar speeds. This could be crucial in races where DRS is not available or less effective.

What was the FIA's response to teams exploiting aerodynamic flexibility in the past?

The FIA has been cracking down on aerodynamic flexibility since the middle of the 2021 season. They have issued technical directives and have been conducting investigations into front wings, aiming to regulate and control the extent of allowed flexibility.

What is the significance of the FIA's focus on front wings rather than rear wings?

The FIA's focus on front wings is significant because front wings play a crucial role in ground effect aerodynamics, which is more challenging to balance for both high and low speeds. Teams are constantly trying to find ways to reduce drag while maintaining front grip, which can significantly affect car handling and lap times.

How does McLaren's rear wing trick compare to other teams' efforts in aerodynamic elasticity?

McLaren's rear wing trick seems to be a clever exploitation of the rules, similar to how Red Bull has been leading the way with front wing flexibility. However, the script suggests that McLaren's innovation might not be as potent as what's happening with the front wings, and it might only be worth a small fraction of a second on the track.

What is the potential impact of this trick on race outcomes?

Even a small gain in speed from this trick could make a crucial difference in preventing a chasing car from getting close enough to overtake for the lead, especially in race situations with long straights like in Baku.

How might the FIA address the issue of rear wing deflection in the future?

The FIA might need to invent or modify its testing regime to check areas that current deflection tests do not cover, or it could introduce more general regulations to clamp down on aerodynamic elasticity, as they are considering for the 2025 season.

What does the script suggest about the FIA's current stance on rear wing deflection when DRS is active?

The script suggests that the FIA has been more preoccupied with regulating rear wing deflection when DRS is active, while McLaren's trick works without the use of DRS, indicating a potential area that the FIA might need to address.

How does the script describe the ongoing battle between the FIA and F1 teams over aerodynamic elasticity?

The script describes an ongoing battle where teams are constantly trying to exploit the gray areas of the regulations to gain an advantage. The FIA is trying to regulate these practices, but the inherent flexibility required for aerodynamic components at speed makes it challenging to enforce strict rules.