McLaren and Red Bull Clash Over FIA’s New Flexi-Wing Regulations

The battle for aerodynamic supremacy in Formula 1 has taken another turn, as the FIA’s latest technical directive (TD018) targets flexi-wings, sparking debates between McLaren and Red Bull. While McLaren’s Zak Brown dismisses the impact of the new regulations, Christian Horner believes they could shake up the pecking order. The controversy surrounds the rear wing flex tests taking effect from the Australian Grand Prix and the stricter front wing tests starting at race nine in Spain.

The ongoing battle over flexi-wings in Formula 1 has reached a new turning point, as the FIA tightens regulations ahead of the 2025 season. While McLaren boss Zak Brown has dismissed the significance of the new directive, Red Bull’s Christian Horner believes its impact could be “interesting.”

FIA’s Crackdown on Flexi-Wings: A Game-Changer for F1 2025?

The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) has implemented stricter tests on rear and front wings to curb excessive flexibility that could provide teams with an aerodynamic advantage. These changes will be introduced in two phases:

• Australia (Race 1): New rear wing flex tests.

• Spain (Race 9): Stricter front wing tests.

This move aims to level the playing field after controversies in 2024, where certain teams were suspected of exploiting flexi-wing designs to improve drag reduction and top speed.

McLaren’s Controversial Rear Wing Design: The Origin of the Crackdown

Last season, McLaren’s rear wing came under scrutiny after footage from Oscar Piastri’s car in Azerbaijan revealed noticeable deformation at high speeds. Dubbed a “mini-DRS” system, this flexible wing allowed McLaren to reduce drag without activating their Drag Reduction System (DRS). Despite passing all FIA static load tests, McLaren voluntarily modified its rear wings to avoid further scrutiny.

However, this prompted the FIA to revise regulations, moving from a 15mm permitted flex to just 10mm. According to an FIA spokesperson:

“These adjustments are aimed at further refining our ability to monitor and enforce bodywork flexibility regulations, ensuring a level playing field for all competitors to promote fair and exciting racing.”

Zak Brown: “Too Hard to Tell Who Wins or Loses”

McLaren CEO Zak Brown believes the new FIA rules won’t dramatically alter the competitive landscape of Formula 1 2025. In an interview with PlanetF1.com, he stated:

“I don’t think it’s a significant change for us. It’s too hard to tell who wins or loses over it because I don’t think it’s going to be a material change for anybody. I’m not expecting there to be a winner and loser or some change in the pecking order at that time because of that change.”

Brown’s stance is that teams have already adapted to the stricter oversight, making it unlikely that this regulatory shift will cause any major shakeups in the standings.

Christian Horner: “The Timing is an Oddball”

On the other hand, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has expressed skepticism about the timing of the directive. He questioned why the FIA chose Race 9 (Spain) for the front wing clampdown instead of applying it before the season started.

“It’ll be interesting to see the effect that it has. I guess the slight oddball about it is the timing. Why Race 9? It might have been better to have been addressed during the off-season because you end up doing two specs of wings.”

Horner believes that the mid-season introduction of new regulations could create an uneven playing field, favoring teams that adapt faster while forcing others to redesign components on short notice.

How Will This Impact the F1 2025 Championship Battle?

While McLaren and Red Bull are debating the effects of the FIA’s flexi-wing directive, the bigger question remains: Will this crackdown shift the balance of power in F1 2025?

Here’s what we can expect:

1. More Technical Scrutiny: Teams will have to rigorously test their wing designs to ensure compliance with the new flex limits.

2. Potential Mid-Season Performance Swings: Some teams could struggle to adjust to the changes, leading to unexpected shifts in race performance.

3. Strategic Implications: The new regulations could force teams to rethink their aerodynamics strategies, especially on circuits where straight-line speed is crucial.

Past FIA Interventions: A Pattern of Mid-Season Rule Changes

This isn’t the first time the FIA has intervened with mid-season technical changes. In previous years:

• 2021: The FIA introduced stricter rear wing deflection tests after complaints about Mercedes and Red Bull’s flexi-wings.

• 2022: Floor flexibility regulations were tightened mid-season, affecting teams like Red Bull and Ferrari.

• 2023: A clampdown on ride-height and floor stiffness changed the balance of power between teams.

Given this history, the FIA’s flexi-wing restrictions in 2025 could have far-reaching consequences.

Which Teams Stand to Gain or Lose?

While McLaren and Red Bull are the most vocal on the issue, other top teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Aston Martin could also be affected.

• Teams That Rely on Flexi-Wings (Possible Losers): McLaren, Red Bull

• Teams with More Rigid Designs (Possible Winners): Ferrari, Mercedes

If McLaren and Red Bull have to redesign their wings, they may lose their edge in straight-line speed, potentially giving rivals like Ferrari and Mercedes a chance to close the gap.

Will the FIA’s Crackdown Actually Change Anything?

The FIA’s decision to enforce stricter flexi-wing regulations is another chapter in Formula 1’s ongoing battle to regulate aerodynamics and maintain fairness. While Zak Brown remains unfazed, Christian Horner’s concerns highlight the unpredictability of mid-season rule changes.

With F1 2025 shaping up to be a highly competitive season, all eyes will be on the teams as they adapt to these new regulations. Whether this move truly impacts the championship race or simply becomes another footnote in F1’s ever-evolving rulebook remains to be seen.

A Level Playing Field or Mid-Season Chaos?

The FIA’s latest flexi-wing directive aims to ensure fair play, but its mid-season implementation remains a topic of heated discussion. McLaren and Red Bull hold differing opinions, with Zak Brown seeing minimal impact and Christian Horner questioning the timing.

As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how these regulations affect performance and whether they create an unintended shake-up in the championship race. Will aero innovations take a hit, or will teams find new ways to push the limits?