This whole set of affairs got me to thinking:: Article 3.8 of the Technical Regulations dictate that all components influencing a car’s aerodynamic performance – such as front and rear wings – must be “rigidly secured to the entirely sprung part of the car” and “remain immobile in relation to the sprung part of the car”. AND FIA “reserves the right to introduce further load/deflection tests on any part of the bodywork which appears to be (or is suspected of) moving whilst the car is in motion”. Maybe this is why all those little tiny areo parts, such as what the barge boards have morphed into, are black and hard to see moving at speed.
Poor Christian. Standards?? How long since your last title Horner. Years yet you and Helmut have kept your jobs. Your 2nd driver is roulette wheel of waste system.
The F1 Technical Regulation is only a regulatory text like the others. It is its use that defines it. We have to realize that it is rigorously applied when Mercedes' interests are at stake. Nothing paranoid here.
We will see if the FIA takes a look at those Merc front wings too (as they should). This is all just a way to try to hurt your competition with extra costs; like Binotto said, barely any affect on lap time with rear wings. The biggest influence this whole school girl level arguing between merc and rbr does, is screwing over the smaller teams. The financial effects are biggest on teams like Alfa.
https://racingnews365.com/red-bull-seek-retribution-against-mercedes Lets see how this plays out, if no action on the Merc front wings, the FIA have handled this terribly and opened a can of worms.
Good reaction by RB. If the FIA acts like they should do it will cost Mercedes more than they gained. When the FIA doesn’t it gives RB and the other non Mercedes teams ammunition to take on this unfair ruling.
https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/31521384/brawn-doubts-flexi-wing-protest-successful Formula One's managing director of motorsport, Ross Brawn, says he would be "amazed" if a protest against Red Bull's rear wing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is successful, arguing the FIA has been consistent in its application of rules regarding flexible body work. The legality of Red Bull's rear wing was questioned by title rivals Mercedes during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, with video evidence showing the entire structure of the wing flexing downwards on the straights, providing an aerodynamic advantage. Article 3.8 of Formula One's technical regulations says all components influencing a car's aerodynamic performance must be "rigidly secured to the entirely sprung part of the car" and "remain immobile in relation to the sprung part of the car". Red Bull's rear wing has passed the necessary static load tests carried out during scutineering under Articles 3.9.3 and 3.9.4, but rivals argued that the video footage from Spain is proof that the wing is in contravention of Article 3.8. The FIA responded by issuing a technical directive after the Spanish Grand Prix agreeing that "such deformations ... could be deemed to contravene the provisions of Article 3.8", while notifying teams that new load deflection tests would be introduced on June 15. However, the timing of the introduction of the new tests, which was delayed to give smaller teams time to adapt their designs, means Red Bull's original design passed scrutineering in Monaco and will do so again at next weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff called the technical directive "half-baked", saying the delay in the introduction of the new tests created "a legal vacuum and leaves the door open for protests". He went on to warn that a rejected protest could end up in the International Court of Appeal, creating a "messy situation" that may leave the result of the race in doubt for several weeks. ESPN understands Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin all believe their wings are already in compliance with the new tests, while at least six teams, possibly seven, will need to make modifications. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is a likely target for a protest as a flexing rear wing structure has the potential to offer big gains on the circuit's long straights. Red Bull's rear wing has been spotted flexing downwards when it is under load at high speeds. Asked if he was concerned about the prospect of protests leaving the result of the Baku race in limbo, Brawn said: "No, I don't think so. "I think the FIA have been pretty consistent with their approach," he added. "I'd be amazed if the stewards go against the opinion of the FIA." Brawn, who worked for Benetton, Ferrari, Honda and Mercedes before joining F1, said the FIA had faced similar challenges in the past. "I think this is probably flexi rear wing version 27 [in Formula One's history]," he added. "In 40 years of motor racing, I've been through this many times. "I can remember [Williams technical director] Patrick Head jumping on our front wing in parc ferme because he considered that it wasn't stiff enough. "He wanted to demonstrate to Charlie [Whiting, FIA race director] that it wasn't stiff enough, so he actually stood on it and bounced up and down to demonstrate how flexible it was. "There are a set of FIA tests and that's the only way we have been able to determine the limits of what you can do. "If you pass the tests and some [rival] teams don't like it, the FIA can look at it, say 'fair point' and stiffen the tests and do different tests, so it's perpetual. "I honestly don't believe there is any case for going in a different route to solve the problem, because I don't know how you quantify it. "One person's view of it being too flexible is another person's view of it being OK, and that's why we have the tests. "If you put a mechanism in there or a hinge in there, I agree that's not correct. "But within the normal compliance of the structure, I don't see a problem."
Is this Brawn’s way of telling the disgruntled teams to not even bother with a protest and that they’d just be wasting their time?
Seems his opinion. He is well experienced but I dont think Toto cares. If Mercedes protest one thinks they would do with knowledge of what the outcome has success for and RedBull who also now threaten front wing of Mercedes. Such F1 political fun lol
Maybe protests should be done like in NFL. You get an allocation of protests (say 3 per year) You can only protest if you have a protest allocation. If you protest and win, you get the protest back and can use it again. If you lose, you lose that allocation.
Seems like the FIA installed markings on the rear wings of all the cars in Baku to visually check the bending. So the cars are legal, but they have to find something else because Mercedes isn’t happy with this.. Reminds me the permanent checking about the Ferrari engine in 2018. Fia shame on you !!
Team principal Andreas Seidl said: "From our point of view, if we see deflections again like we have seen in Barcelona, there needs to be action here this weekend. How this action will look like in the paddock, I don't know yet." Image Unavailable, Please Login Lando Norris, McLaren MCL35M Photo by: Erik Junius Seidl has welcomed updated guidance from the FIA regarding the governing body's stance on rear wing flexibility, but is clear his team remains unhappy that the new tougher pull-back tests are not already in place. "We're happy with all the actions FIA has put in place with the technical directive, even with the update of the technical directive," he said. "The only thing we are still not happy with, and that's the point of the discussion, is why do you let teams that benefited already for several races, with a car that has not been in the regulations, to keep using these devices." And while it is impossible for wings to be totally rigid, so some flexing needs to be allowed, Seidl says that when it comes to judging what is and is not allowed, then the FIA should look at intent of designs. "It is not just the deflection that you see, but in the end what is important is for the FIA to look into how does this deflection get created," he explained.
FIA should look at all the front wings too along with the vibrating shark fin of the MB. As far as this race is concerned if the cars pass scrutineering under the current regs then so be it. If the FIA bend (pun intended) to MB’s will then they will lose what little credibility they have left.
Horner: ‘I’d keep my mouth shut’ if I were Mercedes over flexi-wings Horner has a big mouth himself LOL! Poor chap. If it hurts that bad for Mercedes to highlight something-- too bad. Would he say such things to Ferrari? Poor taste and typical of RedBull when threatend. They have zero tact in life. Actually it would be better if Horner said less strategically.
Is there a better driver than Perez and available ? George Russell is possibly available for next season
Yes among other things. Toto has every right to bring up an issue. RedBull are not one to hesitate. Horner on camera today was absurd. World ending cry baby lol
I like to see actual proof of this 'cabal'. If anything is true Mercedes and its domination should give them less power as we have had little competition. Horner is angry to me because Toto is a bit smarter/savvy etc. I want to see utter proof FIA is in the pocket of Mercedes. This is rumor and conspiracy so easily arrived at when your left big toe hurts
I know teams have an influence level. I dont sense Mercedes is paying bribes etc. Possibly they are better and influencing the agenda. Ferrari are accused of this in the past. Its politics. I dont sense for myself Todt is a Mercedes agent at all.
