The FIA has improved an immediate and stricter clampdown on rear wing flexibility ahead of the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix following ‘mini DRS’ suspicions.
The phenomenon known as ‘mini-DRS’ was coined following observations of flexing in the rear wing slot gap on Oscar Piastri’s McLaren in Azerbaijan en route to the Aussie’s victory.
Teams argued its validity under the regulations and McLaren made changes to its rear wing structure following the Azerbaijan GP.
The FIA imposed stricter guidelines at the start of this season to limit rear wing flexibility and video observations made by the governing body at the Albert Park Circuit confirmed all teams complied with the regulations.
However, with debate raging that some teams are still benefitting too much from rear-wing flexibility, and upon its video review, the FIA has released a statement outlining further restrictions, effective immediately.
The new restrictions mean all 10 F1 teams will have to prepare rear wings that flex at a limit of 0.5 mm, down from 2mm under a vertical load-bearing test of 75kg on the mainplane, with a China-only tolerance of 0.25mm.
FIA statement on rear wing flexibility
“As has been previously communicated, between the end of the 2024 season and the start of the 2025 season, the FIA exercised the authority it is granted under Article 3.15.1 of the Technical Regulations to introduce either new or more challenging load-deflection tests for the front wing (from race nine, Spanish Grand Prix), the upper rear wing, and the beam rear wing,” the statement began.
“In addition, the FIA requested to the teams to use cameras in free practice sessions to monitor the on-track deformations exhibited by the cars during the Australian Grand Prix.
“Having analysed footage from the rear wing deformations combined to [with] the static deflections measured inside the FIA garage in Melbourne, the FIA has concluded that sufficient grounds exist for a tougher test to be introduced from the forthcoming Chinese Grand Prix on the upper rear wing.
“More specifically, Article 3.15.17, introduced in 2025, states that if 75kg of vertical load is applied on either extremity of the rear wing main plane, the distance between the main plane and the flap (also known as “slot gap”) must not vary by more than 2mm.
“From the forthcoming Grand Prix in Shanghai, this limit will be reduced to 0.5mm. Due to the short notice for Shanghai only a tolerance of 0.25mm will be added to this new limit.
“The teams were informed of this revised test early [on] Monday 17th of March.
“The FIA wishes to further confirm that during the Melbourne event all cars tested against the requirements of Article 3.15.17 and found to comply, therefore all cars raced in Melbourne were deemed to be legal.”
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