https://racingnews365.com/hamilton-calls-on-fia-to-stop-red-bull-favouritsm Utterly cringe worthy as the FIA is paid and bought up by Mercedes
The tests aren't the rules, the tests are just the FIA's way of policing the rules, and they can change them to better police the rules if they want. The trouble is that it's a very grey area; the rules need to be better written to define the limits on flexibility - given that all parts are going to be 'movable' to some degree or other.
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mclaren-f1-flexi-wing-tests-delay-is-unacceptable/6511803/ McLaren: F1 flexi-wing tests delay is 'unacceptable' By: Jonathan Noble May 20, 2021, 5:48 AM McLaren is in talks with the FIA over what it feels is an 'unacceptable' delay to the introduction of new flexi-wing tests in Formula 1. Image Unavailable, Please Login As Autosport revealed last week, the FIA is introducing new loads tests and visual checks on 'bendy' rear wings after suspecting teams were gaining an aero advantage. However, the new tests are only coming in to force from the French Grand Prix next month – which means teams are still free to use their current designs for the races in Monaco and Baku. That delay has left McLaren unhappy, as it feels that giving teams extra races to run with these trick wings hands them an unfair advantage. McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl said: "We welcome the reaction from the FIA with the technical directive, which we are happy with for the basic content. "Where we strongly disagree with is the timing of the implementation because, from our point of view, there is no reason for many teams having still the advantage of doing things which, in our point of view, are clearly against the regulations. "They had the advantage already for several races which is something we're obviously not happy with. "But now, allowing them to have further advantage for some more races, is clearly something we strongly disagree with, and where we are in conversation with the FIA." Seidl added: "We simply hope that the FIA shows a very strong hand because from our point of view it's simply not acceptable, because it puts the teams that comply with the regulations at a big disadvantage." While the focus of the bendy wing speculation has revolved around Red Bull, paddock sources have suggested that a number of teams were observed running wings which flexed a lot on the main straight at Barcelona. The outfits that appear to be under the spotlight include Ferrari, Alpine and Alfa Romeo – even though all the teams' cars have passed the current tests.
Mclaren are very independent Mercedes PU or not and Seidl is not political. Take note of the other teams mentioned. This is not about PU makers or allegiance.
As stated, the tests are not the rules. However, the rules may be worded in such a way that the tests define the allowed deformation. This is a bit like the Ferrari engine thing where an adjustment to how things were measured suddenly made Ferrari slower. They passed the tests as they were but they were obviously doing something that wasn't legal. Last time bendy rear wings was an issue, the rules were changed to mandate support ribs between the wing elements. Wonder how they will go about it this time.
Just funny isn't it...each time Mercedes gets a glimpse of competition, the FIA comes and adjusts whatever needs adjusting.
Ferrari admits exploiting flexible rear wings ahead of FIA clampdown By: Jonathan Noble May 20, 2021, 10:05 AM Ferrari has admitted that it is one of the teams that has been exploiting flexible rear wings in Formula 1, ahead of an imminent rules clampdown. https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/ferrari-admits-exploiting-flexible-rear-wings-ahead-of-fia-clampdown/6512023/ The FIA informed teams ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix that it will soon introduce tougher rear wing pull back tests to stop them exploiting flexible aerodynamics. The governing body has introduced a grace period before the tests come in, with teams having until the French Grand Prix to make modifications. While much of the focus has revolved around Red Bull, after Lewis Hamilton suggested it was running a ‘bendy wing’ at the Spanish GP, the changes will force a number of teams to make alterations. Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has revealed that his outfit is one of the squads that will be affected. “Yes, we are exploiting,” said Binotto about teams pushing the flexible wing rules. “I think all the teams are exploiting somehow what's possible, and what we believe is right. “The [FIA] technical directive is clarifying furthermore, and we will need to slightly adapt. “I think it's impacting Ferrari, certainly on the laptime from what it seems very, very little. But there are some redesigns which need to be prepared to comply fully to the technical directive.”
I was thinking will their be protests over a win here by Ferrari or another team?? Wolff: F1 risks protests with "half-baked" flexi-wing tweak By: Jonathan Noble May 20, 2021, 8:31 AM Formula 1 is at risk of a messy protest situation at the Baku Grand Prix over the ‘half-baked’ delay in imposing new flexi rear wing tests, warns Mercedes boss Toto Wolff. Image Unavailable, Please Login With the FIA introducing a fresh clampdown on ‘bendy’ wings from the French GP, there is mounting concern from some outfits about the benefits their rivals can get by continuing to run their flexible designs for the next two races. While the advantage of a flexing rear wing is minimal at this weekend's Monaco GP because of the lack of straights, it could offer a decisive lap time benefit in Baku next month thanks to the ultra-long run out of the final corner. Wolff does not understand why there has been a four-week delay to the introduction of new tests, and he fears that F1 could end in a messy legal situation if protests are lodged in Baku. “Delaying the introduction for whatever reason leaves us in a legal vacuum and leaves the door open for protests,” said Wolff at the Monaco Grand Prix. “It's not only us but it's probably two other teams that are most affected, maybe more, and obviously a protest could end up in the ICA [International Court of Appeal]. “That is a messy situation and can take weeks before we have a result. And we should have not ended in this situation if we're having four weeks until the race that is most relevant in the calendar.” Wolff understands why an immediate introduction of new tests would have been unfair, but thinks that the delay beyond Baku makes no sense at all. https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/wolff-f1-risks-protests-with-half-baked-flexi-wing-tweak/6511932/
That admission from Binotto brings a justification for thightening the testing method. If the present rig that checks the wings isn't up to the job, it has to be changed. It's the delay to implement the change that is questionable.
Why did it take weeks/months to declare the Mercedes wheels breached the rules, same with track limits?
That's your interpretation, of course. It seems the Red Bull wasn't the only team to "bend the rules" (pun intended) and get away with it. Their name is prominent because they are seen as Mercedes' main rival, but other teams are confessing doing the same. So something has to be done, even if some don' agree. But what I find hilarious is Christain Horner's claim that making the cars conform will cost $1/2M to Red Bull !!! http://www.gptoday.com/full_story/view/773417/Red_Bull_reveal_quothalfamillion_dollarsquot_cost_of_FIA_flexiwing_test/
Sadly true. The ultimate goal being to overtake Ferrari in the rankings as Hamilton overtook Schumacher. «No limit to my power!» Dark sidious
Do you really think Merc is at a disadvantage in developing aero/structural techniques that "bend the rules" to the maximum? They probably already have a new wing sitting on the shelf that passes the new tests.
What a shame. Paul Ricard is the most dull race I've ever attended ! Some flexi wings might have spiced it up slightly.
Maybe in pre-cap days but not so much now. Probably why they’re moaning is they don’t have the budget to develop a new wing and were caught flat-footed by the others so by asking for a rule change they not only save the cost of doing a new wing, they impose the cost burden on the competitors to change their wings. The cost cap seems seems to be a real concern for Merc as, for example, they have backed out of doing an upcoming 2022 tire test because of budget concerns. As for the supposed flexy wings, let’s not forget these meet the letter of the rules as written (and which allow a certain deflection) even if not the intent of the rules. The same “intent of” which the Brit press would always say was meaningless when defending a Brit team “innovation”. And to be clear, this is not a case of tightening up the tests for compliance to existing rules, it’s a rules change which normally would be done on safety grounds or would require a majority vote. But under pressure from Merc, FIA will bend to their orders. This after the FIA itself last year suggested to Merc how to activate their DAS so that it would be considered a steering input in order for the FIA to bless it.
Well just looking at the obvious here, each time Mercedes has someone that's giving them a little bit of a headache, the FIA comes parachuting in and rescues them at the earliest convenience. Each time Mercedes does something questionable, it's either a slap on the wrist or they'll get to keep their toy for the season. Stevie Wonder can see that happening. Ok I ask you, why does something HAVE to be done? It's clearly not a safety issue. Ok then, what does it cost according to you?
