Red Bull suspects that both McLaren and Ferrari have been running Formula 1 front wings that flex beyond the limits imposed by the FIA and threaten to do the same.
According to a recent report from the German outlet Auto Motor und Sport, Red Bull is “more openly” pointing “the finger” at McLaren and Ferrari’s front wing designs.
The article states that Mercedes also suspects something is going on with the front wings, but has elected not to protest and follow the same path as its competitors.
AMuS claims Mercedes’ new front wing belongs to the “legally bent” front wings group and could be a key part of the German squad’s strong recent outing in Canada.
The publication also deciphers that this has not been a pure performance gain but has also been an improvement in terms of balancing the car and driver confidence.
“If this is further tolerated, we have to go the same way,” AMuS quoted Red Bull.
Front wings are loaded with 60 newtons and must not deform more than three millimeters, but the teams strive to pass the FIA tests whilst also pushing boundaries.
Mercedes accused Red Bull of featuring a rear wing that flexed too much and translated into a big advantage on straight-line speed during the teams’ 2021 title battle.
More recently, during last season, Aston Martin was reportedly obliged to change its front wing over FIA concerns about the design being against the spirit of the rule.
The change coincided with the Silverstone-based squad enduring a massive dip in competitiveness as it went from consistent podium finishes to minor points scorers.
AMuS claims that Red Bull tried to convince Aston Martin to also protest Ferrari and McLaren, but the British marque has opted to decline and work on its own solution.
Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix last season, the FIA introduced a TD018 technical regulation to limit the flexi-wings following concerns that the teams were using this to gain aerodynamic advantages.
