Ferrari: New front wing tests could change F1

Ferrari Anticipates Significant Changes in Formula 1 with New Tests

The Ferrari team principal, Fred Vasseur, has expressed his belief that the modifications to the front wing flexibility tests, which will be implemented at the next Spanish Grand Prix, could have a significant impact on the ten Formula 1 teams.

Following controversies last year regarding the flexibility of the bodywork, the FIA announced in January the introduction of more rigorous load tests for the front wings, starting from the ninth round of the season in Spain.

The flexibility of aerodynamic load-bearing wings can offer performance advantages, either by reducing drag at high speed or by altering the car’s aerodynamic balance between low and high-speed corners.

Stricter static tests, which will be carried out in Spain this weekend, are expected to force all teams to modify their front wings. Vasseur believes this could alter the relative performance of the cars.

I think Barcelona is on everyone’s calendar in the paddock with the new regulation for the front wing.

Fred Vasseur

Vasseur commented last weekend in Monaco: “At least, we have been working on it for a long time and this can be a game changer for everyone, because we don’t know the impact of the new regulation on each team.”

“We will focus on this [in Barcelona], on getting the best out of the new front wing,” he added.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff suggested that Ferrari might be the team that has least exploited flexible front wings this year. However, he indicated that it is still unclear if any team will gain a significant advantage over its competitors with the stricter tests.

I think what we’ve seen is that Ferrari has probably been the most conservative in terms of flexible wings. What this will do in the hierarchy is something we have to analyze.

Toto Wolff

Wolff added: “I’m not sure if it’s going to [change the order], but it’s another angle of curiosity and I don’t know how it’s going to go.”

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner believes the new tests will affect all teams, but stated that it’s difficult to predict if this will alter the competitive order.

Horner commented: “Now we return to some higher speed circuits and, of course, the front wing is subject to a regulation change, and perhaps that won’t have any impact on the race order, but it’s a change and it will affect all the teams.”

“Maybe in a neutral way, but there will be an impact. What we don’t know is how it will affect [each team]. It’s a significant change and, of course, there will be some effect.”