FIA make decision on McLaren’s controversial rear wing after Red Bull complaint ahead of Singapore Grand Prix
Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, have made a decision on McLaren’s controversial rear wing ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix.
After Oscar Piastri won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend by beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes star George Russell, the legality of the McLaren cars has been a major talking point.
Following the race, onboard footage of the rear wing on Piastri’s car emerged, which appeared to show the DRS flap flexing open on the long straight.
The footage caused uproar in the F1 community with many calling for McLaren to be investigated for their ‘flexi-wing’ but both McLaren cars were passed as legal by the FIA after the race.
However, it was reported on Friday that the FIA have in fact asked McLaren to modify their rear wing.
AMuS journalist Tobi Gruner wrote on social media: “Breaking: After a successfull Red Bull complaint with the FIA, McLaren has to modify its low downforce rear wing. Bending of the flap edges on the straights will not be allowed, even if the wing passes the static deflection tests.”
Within the report, it was claimed that Ferrari kept themselves in the background of discussion but shared Red Bull’s opinions.
When asked about the legality of his car, Piastri said this week: “It’s legal. We get tested a lot and it passes. It’s certainly not the magic ticket or magic bullet for why we’re competitive, but it’s legal. It passes all the tests, so I’m pretty happy with it.
“I honestly didn’t even know that it did that until three days ago.”
The Australian continued: “Obviously in the sport you find every bit of performance that you can without breaking the rules. I feel like that’s what we’re doing, and that’s what you need to do to become a championship-winning car and a championship-winning team.
“There’s going to be scrutiny of people curious to know why your car is competitive so I certainly don’t think it’s personal to us.”
Meanwhile, rival Max Verstappen said: “It’s quite clear that it’s moving at speed. It might be smart, might not be smart, but at the end of the day, it’s up to the FIA to decide if it’s legal or not, right?”
