Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

MotoGP Spanish GP: Marquez beats Zarco to pole at wet Jerez

MotoGP
Spanish GP
MotoGP Spanish GP: Marquez beats Zarco to pole at wet Jerez

Norris explains why losing “1-2%” in qualifying left drivers so frustrated at new F1 cars

Formula 1
Norris explains why losing “1-2%” in qualifying left drivers so frustrated at new F1 cars

What next for Audi and Jonathan Wheatley?

Feature
Formula 1
What next for Audi and Jonathan Wheatley?

WRC Canary Islands: Ogier heads Toyota 1-2-3-4-5 after dominant Friday

WRC
Rally Islas Canarias
WRC Canary Islands: Ogier heads Toyota 1-2-3-4-5 after dominant Friday

Why Marquez can only "survive" in Spanish GP despite return to full fitness

MotoGP
Spanish GP
Why Marquez can only "survive" in Spanish GP despite return to full fitness

What Apple TV’s F1® coverage delivers for fans in the U.S.

Sponsored
Miami GP
What Apple TV’s F1® coverage delivers for fans in the U.S.

What other tracks should return to the F1 calendar? Our writers have their say

Formula 1
What other tracks should return to the F1 calendar? Our writers have their say

What's behind McLaren's fresh A-B F1 team angst?

Feature
Formula 1
What's behind McLaren's fresh A-B F1 team angst?

McLaren front wing given all-clear

McLaren's radical new 'bridge' front wing has been given a fresh all-clear by the FIA, autosport.com has learned, following concerns from some rival teams in Spain that it could be flexing at high speed

On-board video footage from Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton's cars showed the front wing moving down on the straights when exposed to the forces experienced at high speed.

That movement led to questions from some of McLaren's rivals about the wing being a moveable aerodynamic device.

In the wake of those worries, however, it is understood that the FIA's technical department examined the wing's flexibility and its behaviour prior to the race and found there to be no issues with its design at all.

An FIA spokesman confirmed to autosport.com: "The matter has been investigated and no action is required."

McLaren F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh said his team never had any doubts that the wing was fully legal, and played down any movement that was visible from the on-board footage.

"Anyone who went out on the circuit or watched the slow speed photography saw the wing was very stable, and frankly we didn't think it was ever an issue," said Whitmarsh.

"It hasn't to my knowledge been mentioned to us at all. It is a very slender section, so it might be prone to movement. And perhaps others could be taking advantage of that, but there is no doubt that whoever watches it, knows it is legal."

McLaren's main championship rivals Ferrari also made it clear that they were not worried about the movement of the wing - despite themselves having been accused in the past of running flexi-wings.

Ferrari technical director Mario Almondo said: "At the moment, we think we do not have anything against McLaren. Full stop."

Previous article McLaren: Alonso handling Hamilton pressure
Next article Renault aim to be third quickest team

Top Comments

Latest news