Deflection is allowed so long it passes the deflection test. Red Bull has passed the flex tests every single time without fail. Mercedes now seeks to change the test mid season.
I agree with you regarding DRS. Since the genie is out of the bottle since the FIA introduced DRS (against its previous principles), if should be totally unrestricted. Let's the drivers themselves decide when they want to use it.
I could be wrong BUT Looks like RB has more suspension travel. Which makes the wing go lower. Purple helmet guy at it again. Boo Hoo. LOL
For certain there is no way he saw the wing deflection when chasing him. Simply been noticed on the TV camera's and mr incredible claims it as his own findings.
Red Bull had no issues complaining about Ferraris advantages so I see no difference here. If you want to bend (hah) the rules, be prepared for the FIA to look into it.
They are not complaining at all actually. They stated via Horner that LH said something but suspect that thought came from elsewhere. RedBull have been quiet unlike their complaining about not being able to understand track limits.
NOSE CAM! A Flying Lap Of Portimao | 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix Sebastian Vettel's Front Wing Flexing at the 2011 Melbourne Grand Prix (High Definition) Williams flexi wing
I think he’s referring to 2019 when Horner was on top of Ferrari about their engine fuel-flow tricks, RBR definitely had something to say (along with Merc).
DRS was made for overtaking: the car behind can use it, the car in front can´t. If everybody uses it all the time it´d be like having no DRS at all.
I find all the arguments against things interesting. Every team spies, lies and infers both of their competitors. The FIA have a tough job to remotely enforce rules for all. RedBull will survive this as Ferrari have their motor/PU issues. Redbull state today they are in full compliance. Other teams they note with flex are Alfa and Alpine, but did not mention Mercedes. Again this is games and all play it, the big teams in some cases play in public some interact quietly. ------- https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/red-bull-confident-bendy-wing-clampdown-wont-hurt-form/6508465/ Red Bull confident F1's 'bendy' wing clampdown won't hurt form By: Jonathan Noble Co-author: Christian Nimmervoll May 15, 2021, 4:10 AM Red Bull is confident that the FIA clampdown on 'bendy' wings in Formula 1 will not deliver a knock-out blow to its title ambitions in the 2021 season. As revealed by Autosport earlier this week, the FIA is to introduce new load tests on F1 rear wings from the French Grand Prix in a bid to stop teams playing around with aero elasticity. The FIA believes that a number of outfits have come up with clever designs that are able to pass the current pull back tests while stationary in the pits, but flex down for an aero advantage when out on the track. While the focus of the new pull back tests has been on Red Bull, after Spanish Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton suggested that its RB16B was running a 'bendy' wing, the team does not believe it will be alone in having to make changes. Red Bull's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko is clear that it has not done anything outside the regulations up until now. "The wing has passed the load test," he told Autosport's German sister publication Motorsport-Total.com in an exclusive interview. "That is crucial. Now, there are new criteria that have different guidelines with regards to load. "It's often the case when new regulations come and teams discover grey areas. But it's not just Red Bull being targeted, it affects other teams as well." Marko suggests that both Alpine and Alfa Romeo have been spotted running rear wings that flex at high speed, so they too could be required to strengthen their wings when the new tests come in to force.
Exactly...and so long it passes all the tests, what's the issue? Just like in the early 2010s, the FIA is chasing RBR because they're competitive.
But the rules explicitly banned movable aero devices, yet everything moves--does that not sound like an oxymoron ?!?
I would agree with you; this is a political issue. But Red Bull itself doesn't hesitate to use a red herring when they want to. Just ask Ferrari about it.
Only the FIA can change the rules, Mercedes is only the whistleblower. It's another storm in a teacup, IMO.
Funny how FIA rulings/rule changes have so benefitted Mercedes in the last decade. I expect this one to be no different.
A multi national leaning heavily on a regulating body to get its way; that happens every day. You tend to be cynical after a while ...
Max screaming cheating in the press directed at Ferrari most certainly was a benefit to RedBull. Max literally in the press insulting the team Ferrari. This wing issue will not most likely yield a secret deal with the FIA for anyone. Where is it that the FIA cannot install new tests for anything. They govern the series!! RedBull are the LOUDEST at complaining. NO issues in Monaco though with track limits. Marko will have to find another subject to be a whiner about LOL!
I didn't say they cannot install new tests, I'm saying they shouldn't. Mercedes can't get their wings to flex like RBR and other teams are legally doing, to do so they need to spend extra money that they (because of the budget cap), can't. So by getting the FIA involved who will now change the tests, Mercedes gets a double for their money: They don't need to spend time/money developing an area they didn't plan on, whereas Red Bull now do, and RBR will inevitably lose some performance because of this. As for Red Bull complaining about Track Limits....are they wrong? Every fan on the planet has complained about the idiotic and frankly unclear way the track limits work. And we've already clearly seen this year it only applies to certain drivers/teams than others. What's bad about asking for consistency? And erm, screaming? Lets stop rewriting history, shall we? https://streamable.com/lmk1yv
That is why they explicitely also have a clause in the rule-book stating testing methods can be changed during the season (which has been in place for many many years). It is impossible to ban flex of aero devices entirely, or the cars would have to be made from thick titanium. They only re-evaluate testing methods when it is suspected that an aerodynamic advantage is gained through the flex. The shark fins (especially Mercedes' ) flutter around like crazy, but that is considered ok because it has no benefit. No rules have been changed.
Except they aren't legally doing it as it is prohibited in the rules. Movable aero devices. Of course Mercedes can get their wings to flex, they just happen to abide to the rules this time and not intentionally make flexible aerodynamics. Well, the tests are only tests. Tests can be changed at any time to better reflect the intention of the rules as new anomalies are noted that aren't dealt with in the existing tests. The test we see in the sketches above lack ridiculously in precision. If you try to find loopholes, expect them to be closed. This is quite different from the Mercedes DAS which wasn't covered under the rules as manually adjusting suspension while driving just wasn't something anyone had though of. Much like the double diffuser design which also wasn't outlawed the minute it was discovered.
The carbon fiber they use for the rest of the car would be a better choice for building up a suitable geometry. But yes, it's extremely difficult to get rid of flex entirely so there must be a span of tolerable deformation. Or very strict regulations on the geometry of the wing planes and how they attach to the wing assembly.
