Rear Wing Scrutiny: FIA Installs Cameras to Monitor Flex

The FIA intensifies rear wing monitoring in F1, deploying onboard cameras in Australia to detect potential mini-DRS exploitation and regulatory breaches.

Formula 1 teams will be subject to heightened scrutiny of their rear wings starting from the Australian Grand Prix due to fresh concerns over the use of mini-DRS.

The unusual behavior of some teams’ rear wings was highlighted during pre-season testing in Bahrain last week.

Mercedes’ rear wing was captured on rear-facing cameras appearing to flex backward on the straights, while some teams noted their intrigue over slits opening on other cars, seemingly indicating a return of mini-DRS.

Red Bull’s technical director, Pierre Wache, pointed out that despite the FIA’s efforts over the winter to prevent such flexing, some teams still appeared to be exploiting this area.

“This is still happening. I think Ferrari and McLaren are still using mini-DRS.”

The application of flo-vis paint on certain rear wings also revealed “unusual behavior in how the rear wings flexed at high speed,” according to the FIA.

In light of these findings, the FIA intends to take a closer look at the situation to ensure teams are not engaging in maneuvers that could fall outside the regulatory framework.

As a result, the governing body has opened the door to intensifying its investigation into rear wing behavior from the season-opening race in Australia.

A technical directive has been issued by FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, requiring teams to provide specific cameras to improve rear wing surveillance.

These cameras will deliver high-definition footage of the rear wings at high speed and, by monitoring reference stickers placed at specific locations, will help the FIA gain a clearer understanding of what happens when the cars are on track.

This approach of using additional cameras to monitor flexing mirrors the procedure implemented at last year’s Belgian Grand Prix when the FIA began scrutinizing front wing behavior.

In the event of any violations, the FIA reserves the right to request modifications from teams, as it did with McLaren following the discovery of its mini-DRS in Baku in 2024.