F1 News
FIA listens to F1 teams concerns and announces stricter measures
- Kimberley Hoefnagel
There was much debate surrounding McLaren's so-called 'mini-DRS' system in 2024. Although the FIA intervened last year, Red Bull chief Pierre Waché revealed after the Bahrain test days that the device was still in use. In response to these concerns, the FIA has decided to closely monitor all Formula 1 teams from the first race weekend in Australia.
Red Bull was not the only team to have concerns about the issue after the test days in Bahrain. Indeed, several teams noticed unusual behaviour around the rear wings, as indicated by the flow-vis paint analysis. The FIA also appears to have detected something concerning in the data, prompting them to take action.
The Race reports that Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA's director of single-seaters, has sent out a new technical directive. In this directive, teams have reportedly been asked to provide enclosures that will allow the FIA to monitor rear wings more effectively using cameras. These high-speed cameras, combined with carefully placed reference stickers, will help the FIA gain a clearer understanding of the aerodynamic behaviour in real-time.
In preparation for the 2025 Formula 1 season, the FIA has been addressing various loopholes in the regulations. It was previously announced that starting next season, the race director will have the authority to order a car to pull off track quicker in the event of damage. Additionally, drivers starting from the pit lane will no longer be allowed to bypass an extra formation lap.
This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon
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