Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has explained how the team has been preparing for the new rules on the so-called flexi-wings, which he describes as a “game-changer”, that will be introduced at this weekend’s Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix.
The new technical directive [TD] has been highly-anticipated, and could see some teams suffer as a consequence, as it clamps down on the amount of flex the front wings will produce under loading.
McLaren has been one of the teams that has particularly benefitted from the flexi-wings, giving its rivals hope that the TD018 will enable a game of catch-up can be made.
Speaking to media, including Motorsport Week, after last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, Vasseur explained that it has been conducting longstanding work on its own front wing in preparation for this race onwards.
“I think Barcelona is on the calendar of everybody in the paddock with the new regulation for the front wing,” Vasseur said.
“We are working on it for ages now and this can be a gamechanger for everybody, because we don’t know the impact on every single team of the new regulation.
“I think we stick to this, and we’ll be focused on this to have the better exploitation of the new front wing.”
‘Paddock rumours’ gives hope to Ferrari F1 revival
Charles Leclerc reinvigorated his season with a second-place finish in-front of his home fans in Monaco, his second podium of the season.
Leclerc spoke of speculation he has heard around the paddock, which is giving him the hope that he will perhaps be able to mount a stronger remaining two-thirds of the season.
“I really hope so, but I don’t know. I don’t know how much the others are using it,” he told Sky F1.
“You can hear rumours in the paddock and some people will be more affected than others, for sure.
“I don’t think on our side is going to change a lot, but we’ll see.”
The Scuderia will be hoping that the new rules will enable the SF-25 to be given more performance, a problem it has struggled with so far this season, largely through its lack of speed on lower ride heights, and its unstable rear suspension.
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