Red Bull and Ferrari team bosses Christian Horner and Fred Vasseur are seeking clarification from the FIA over the legality of flexi-wings employed by Formula 1 rivals.
Mercedes and McLaren have drawn intrigued eyes across recent rounds with the two outfits becoming firm challengers of Red Bull and Ferrari on a race-by-race basis.
It is believed by the aggrieved parties that Mercedes and McLaren’s front wings flex beyond what the regulations deem within the confines of fairness.
Still, both teams have passed the FIA’s load-bearing tests, which were ramped up at the Belgian Grand Prix in July.
Speaking on the matter following last weekend’s Italian GP, Red Bull Team Principal Horner said: “I think the regulations are very clear, I think that’s an FIA issue.
“So obviously there’s a test you pass and then you have to look at the wording of the regulations, if you remember back in 2021 certainly around Baku time there was a change to the front wing regulation, even though our wing passed the test it was exploiting an elasticity.
“It’s an FIA issue, we’ll leave it and trust in them to deal with it, but if it is acceptable, then you have to join it.”
Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko went further than simply stating the matter was “an FIA issue,” and instead demanded further inspection of McLaren and Mercedes’ cars.
“The front wing of McLaren and Mercedes must be analysed,” Marko told ORF after Red Bull was thumped in qualifying for the Italian GP, half a second adrift of the top six consisting of McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari drivers.
Despite riding high after Charles Leclerc’s Monza win, Ferrari Team Principal Vasseur also felt the topic of flexi-wings was one that needs addressing, although he played his cards close to his chest.
“This is a discussion that I don’t want to have with you,” Vasseur said in response to the media’s probing on Sunday.
“I will have it with [FIA Single-Seater Director] Nikolas Tombazis, but we have to respect the decision of the FIA, but we will deal with it internally with the FIA.”
With the pecking order among the top four teams as tight as ever in F1 and the pendulum swinging from race to race, it is no wonder Red Bull and Ferrari are seeking to quell any advantage McLaren and Mercedes might have gained through the regulations.
As the competition continues to heat up, these small battles in the dark matter of the sport could prove pivotal for maintaining a victory charge.
