Ferrari has openly acknowledged its hesitation in taking full advantage of Formula 1’s flexi wing technology. This delay stemmed from the team’s belief that the FIA would soon regulate this practice. Flexi wings have shown to be a potent tool for countering the ground effect cars’ low-speed understeer and high-speed oversteer.
The aerodynamic gains through optimal flexi front wing designs have been significant. It is why teams like McLaren and Mercedes have made substantial improvements in this area during the season. Reacting to their rivals, Ferrari recently introduced a new flexi front wing design from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards. This change has coincided with Ferrari’s resurgence, including wins in the United States and Mexico.
Regulatory Uncertainty
Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, explained that the team delayed its pursuit of aggressive flexi wing concepts due to anticipated FIA crackdowns. Ferrari was under the impression that a flexi wing investigation starting from the Belgian Grand Prix would lead to stricter regulations.
However, the FIA’s analysis concluded that current team activities would not warrant any immediate changes in regulations. Vasseur shared with Autosport, “*There was frustration because we were waiting for the FIA’s decision after they installed cameras [from the Belgian GP]. We were convinced it would be prohibited. Instead, we lost valuable time.*”
Balancing Innovation with Cost Cap Limitations
Adding to their strategic decision, Ferrari’s development choices were constrained by Formula 1’s cost cap. Vasseur highlighted the difficulty of investing in potentially non-compliant designs saying, “*With the cost cap, we needed to choose wisely. If you develop something that’s not allowed, it consumes wind tunnel time and resources.*”
Following the Belgian GP, the FIA ramped up its scrutiny on wing flexing. They introduced new video technologies and monitoring tools to better understand the dynamics involved.
Findings from the FIA
Nikolas Tombazis, head of single seaters at FIA, elaborated on the findings, noting that the variation in team approaches made regulatory changes impractical. “*The front wing loading varies, making it difficult to standardise in the rules. No two wings share the same loading pattern, complicating test development,*” stated Tombazis.
He added, “*Given these rules have existed since 2022, making a sudden 2024 or 2025 amendment seemed premature. We are using our gathered data to inform a potential 2026 regulation change.*”
Ferrari’s eventual embrace of flexi wing design highlights the complex interplay of innovation, regulation, and strategic decision-making within Formula 1.
Further reading on Ferrari’s developments and strategies can be insightful. Check out related topics, such as Hamilton’s potential first drive with Ferrari or Ferrari’s anticipation of F1’s 2026 wind tunnel regulations.
