Adrian Newey is confident the Red Bull team won’t need to change their front-wings for the Belgium GP and beyond, despite the FIA’s move for stricter weight tests.
Red Bull and Ferrari have been singled out for their use of flexible wings by McLaren and Mercedes after photo’s of their wings in Silverstone and Germany circulated the paddock.
The FIA responded by signalling that they would increase the load tests from 50kg to 100kg, as well as increasing the allowed flex from 10mm to 20mm.
Newey told ITV-F1.com that he didn’t think the team would need to alter their wings as suggested by some engineers within F1.
“No, we don’t believe so,” said the 51-year-old, who was released from hospital after an incident in the Ginetta G50 race at the weekend.
“It was 50 kilos for 10mm [deflection] and now they are going to make sure that if you go to 100 kilos it’s not more than 20mm,” he confirmed.
“In other words [it’s to ensure] the wing is not non linear in any way.”
Red Bull have been the subject for much criticism this season after it became clear that their RB6 was the pacesetter. At the start of the season they were accused of running an illegal ride-height system, before attention moved to their suspension, diffuser and now front-wings.
Newey though isn’t bothered by the complaints, instead he sees them as a compliment to his designs raw speed: “I guess it’s a compliment,” he added.
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