Starting from the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, the FIA will introduce a new technical directive to limit front wing flex , as revealed in advance by AutoRacer.
“Following further analysis carried out at the end of the 2024 season , we are committed to ensuring that body flex will no longer be a bone of contention for the 2025 season.
“To this end, we will increase the scope of testing on the rear wing from the start of the 2025 season and additional testing on the front wing will be introduced from the Spanish GP,” announced the FIA a few hours after our article.
This measure has been adopted by the F1 governing body to ensure greater competitive fairness and that all cars comply with the fundamental principles of the technical regulation. The first two teams to comment on this regulatory change, which will come into force from Barcelona, were Williams and McLaren.
Volwes clear: The new directive was back on the table when early 2025 front wings were already in production
The introduction of the new technical directive has destabilised some technical departments, Red Bull above all. This is because previously, the FIA announced (even publicly) that it did not want to add further tests or tighten the current ones.
The timing of this new directive raised concerns, especially considering, as admitted by the Federation’s note, there was a U-turn at the end of last season (December).
James Vowles confirmed this change as being a last-minute one. The Williams team principal admitted the team were unable to react quickly to the directive because the FW47’s front wing was already in production.
It is clear and undisputed that all teams will have to redesign their front wings.
This means everyone will have some of their budget at least partially wasted on this component. Of course, they need to incorporate front wing changes whilst ensuring there are no major compromises elsewhere from an aerodynamic perspective.
Vowles validates this dilemma, explaining detail why the new technical directive will only be introduced from the Spanish GP.
The choice fell on the ninth round of the season at the express request of the teams, since they would have struggled have enough high-downforce wings for Monte Carlo, considering that a smaller team can take up to a month and a half to produce a front wing.
This also clearly contradicts some reports elsewhere – which stated that teams had been aware of the introduction of a new technical directive for months.
Inevitably, some teams will more more affected than others by the new technical directive. Williams, for example, have never pushed too hard on aeroelasticity, even during their winter development on the FW47.
This is because 2025 is a transition year for the Grove team – which is why James Volwes did not appear too bothered by the introduction of the updated TD018.
“It is clear that there are teams that are more advanced than others in that sector. We are not at the forefront in that area and therefore I can say that the rule change in round nine does not worry me particularly. It will probably have a more significant impact on others,” said the British engineer.
McLaren not worried about new TD18 Technical Directive
Last season turned on its head in Miami, with Red Bull losing its dominance to McLaren. This change has been largely attributed to the introduction of “flexible wings”, which allow for better grip in slow corners and greater stability at high speeds.
In short, flexi wings overcome problems of low-speed understeer and high-speed oversteer. This approach has allowed the use of stiffer suspension without compromising aerodynamic balance, transforming McLaren from an outsider to a competitive leader.
“We realised that aeroelasticity had unexplored potential and so we pushed like crazy in that direction,” admitted Andrea Stella a few months ago.
Then came Mercedes, with the front wing that debuted in Monte Carlo. Ferrari brought their own iteration to COTA.
You might think that McLaren and Mercedes, who have the most flexi-wing development, would be worst affected by the new Technical Directive.
However, things often travel in a less linear way than you might think in F1. After all, this is a sport where off-track battles are just as fierce as those on track. Teams are constantly adapting, and the papaya team have exceled in this area.
Therefore, it should be no surprise that McLaren are unconcerned by the latest technical directive.
“The new technical directive is not causing us any headaches,” Andrea Stella told Sky Sports UK.
“We don’t have to make many adjustments for the start of the season, and there will only be a small adjustment required for race nine [in Spain].”
McLaren’s preparedness is consistent with F1 history. Teams that are already advanced with a certain technical solution often have alternatives ready in the event of a ban.
