On Thursday we discussed McLaren's rear wing and why the part has become a hot topic in F1 circles. Despite concerns from rival teams, F1's governing body issued a statement ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix saying the rear wing is legal, but they have indicated they will be monitoring the issue, with many wondering whether a clarification will be given before the United States Grand Prix.
Looks like we won't have to wait that long.
Multiple Such a report is MotorsportsThe FIA has asked McLaren to modify the rear wing so that it does not flex under aerodynamic loads: as video footage from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix points out, when the MCL38 is subjected to aerodynamic loads (such as going at high speed on long straights), the rear wing flexes, creating a gap that many are calling a “mini DRS”.
You can see it in action in this angle from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix: as Oscar Piastri reaches high speed, the rear wing flexes, creating a gap and increasing the airflow through the rear wing, similar to what you see when DRS is activated and the rear wing opens up.
Of note, As Terry Widdows pointed outThe rear wing McLaren is using in this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix is not the exact same configuration as the one they used in Baku, and McLaren isn't scheduled to use that exact configuration until the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November.
Apple News Users can click on the link above to view the post.
Rather than opening the door to an innovation race in which teams would try to create a McLaren-like rear wing for such a circuit, the FIA appears to have stepped in to thwart such a potential situation.
