F1 News
FIA won't adjust flexiwing tests: 'With front wings it's difficult'
The FIA has no plans to make any changes to front wing testing in 2025, despite the discussion that arose around the component's flexibility among some Formula 1 teams. Nikolas Tombazis, the director of single-seaters at the FIA, has given the reasons for this.
The flexible front wings of McLaren and Mercedes, among others, sparked controversy. During the 2024 F1 season, the FIA already indicated that it saw no reason to intervene, but cameras were placed on the front wings for observation. The governing body also said other tests would be considered for the following year, should it prove necessary.
FIA makes no changes to flexiwing tests
Based on the footage, the FIA sees no reason to make changes to the tests for 2025. "We are pretty happy with what we've seen," Tombazis said in conversation with Motorsport.com, although he stressed that it is not always a question of being satisfied or not. "It's also a question of whether you feel that a meaningful test can be made."
The single-seater director explains that most tests involve loading in a particular direction or position, as front wing loading varies much more between different cars. "The most successful such tests imitate as much as possible what happens in real life with loads and on the earlier wing for example, it's reasonably successful," he continued. "On the front wing, the variety between cars would make that quite difficult."
Tombazis adds that there have been no changes in testing since the current regulations were introduced in 2022, and that is one of the reasons why the governing body has no intention of changing it for 2025. Moreover, rival teams such as Red Bull Racing and Ferrari may still come up with their own variations next year.
This article was written in collaboration with Nicole Mulder.
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