Mercedes F1’s James Allison claims the new FIA flexible wing tests subtly altered car behaviour, despite appearing invisible to casual or alien observers.
James Allison, Mercedes F1’s Technical Director, joked that “aliens” wouldn’t have been able to detect the new regulation on flexible wings during the Spanish Grand Prix. However, it did indeed have “an effect,” he said.
To curb wing flex, the FIA introduced stricter tests for front wings in Barcelona, increasing load and reducing flexing tolerances.
Some teams, like Red Bull and Ferrari, had hoped the new regulation would slow McLaren, but the team dominated the weekend, leading every session and setting its fastest race lap 1.2 seconds quicker than the second-best time, set by Max Verstappen in his Red Bull, which was on a three-stop strategy.
Assessing the new regulation in his debrief after Barcelona, Allison made a tongue-in-cheek comment.
“I think if aliens were observing the situation from afar, they probably wouldn’t have noticed that a technical directive had been issued in Spain. But it definitely had an effect.”
“The fact that the wings are stiffening means that, all other things being equal, it tends to make the car more nervous when approaching a high-speed corner.”
“But this effect can be mitigated through other elements of the car’s setup, and even if it can’t be completely mitigated, neither can it be by everyone.”
“So, even if this design is less optimal for car performance, the fact that everyone has to deal with it as well means the relative hierarchy doesn’t change much.”