The FIA has asked McLaren to modify its rear wing after complaints from rival Formula 1 teams regarding its legality.
McLaren’s rear wing courted controversy during the Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The uppermost plane of the win appeared to rotate back, in essence creating a larger opening and greater drag reduction.
With rivals complaining, the FIA has looked into the matter and McLaren will need to make changes.
The rear wing used by McLaren at Baku is still deemed legal, but the FIA wants the team to reduce the level of flexing when DRS is open.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc spent approximately 30 Laps stuck behind Oscar Piastri in the Azerbaijan GP, after the Australian used DRS to pass him on the start/finish straight.
Leclerc noted that Ferrari was critical of the McLaren rear wing after discussions with Team Principal Fred Vasseur.
“I mean, I think Fred will go on that matter a bit more into detail, but from what I’ve been told, it’s controversial to say the least,” Leclerc said.
McLaren, meanwhile, is fighting its case with Lando Norris saying “I am very happy that we’re doing a very good job, everything has been tested, everything is legal, so we are doing what we can.
“That is what Formula 1 is for, exploring everything within the rules, and we’ve cleared all the tests and the FIA is happy so I am proud what the team is doing.”
Vasseur frustrated by McLaren rear wing
Vasseur has expressed it is “frustrating” to see McLaren gain an advantage using its rear wing. However, he’s leaving matters in the hands of the FIA to clarify the situation.
“We have to give the responsibility to the scrutineering, to the FIA,” he said.
“It’s not my job to do it. They have to do it and we have to trust them. Honestly, I’m not complaining about this. I think it’s more than borderline.
“We all saw the video and the picture of this. And it’s a bit frustrating when, if you remember perfectly the situation in Monza, we had five cars in two-hundredth seconds and you move from P1, P2 to P5, P6 for two-hundredth seconds.
“In Baku, we arrived 10 laps in a row, side by side, Turn 1. You can imagine that we have a bit of frustration.”
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