F1 News

Marko compares flexible rear wing to DAS: "Why was that allowed?

25 May 2021 at 16:28
Last update 25 May 2021 at 18:50
  • GPblog.com

Although the flexible rear wing did not give a big advantage in Monaco, the discussion between Red Bull Racing and Mercedes continues. Toto Wolff is clearly not a fan of Red Bull's innovation, while the team from Austria says they have done nothing wrong.

There will be more clarity from France, but next week the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is on the calendar. There, the flexible rear wing looks set to make a big difference, with the long straight. In Paul-Ricard the new test will be introduced and Helmut Marko explains in conversation with F1 Insider that Red Bull is not worried about it.

Red Bull builds new rear wing

"We are changing our wing so that it passes the FIA's new test at the scheduled time. But we can only do that after Baku. We have to change the whole rear end and you can't just build a new wing". Marko understands Mercedes' frustration but also points to the German team when it comes to flexible wings.

"It's part of F1 that teams look at each other if there is something special on the car. We did the same when Mercedes came around the corner with the DAS system last year. The FIA then declared it illegal, but they were allowed to use it until the last race. We accepted that, but isn't Mercedes doing the same with our rear wing now?"

New tests for the front wing as well?

"We do expect that the tests for the front wing will now also be tightened up, that's fair enough. Especially the front wing of Toto Wolff's team moves a lot. In any case thereis potential for a protest", Marko concludes threateningly. Wolff has already announced that they will challenge Red Bull's flexible rear wing in Baku, if it is still in use.