Alfa Romeo is working with Red Bull & Ferrari against Mercedes’ F1 protest against Flexi-Wings

The Red Bull F1 team recently got into controversy when Lewis Hamilton claimed that Max Verstappen’s rear wing was “pliable”. And this ultimately led to the Milton Keynes outfit recognizing that it had introduced aeroelasticity into the rear wing of the RB16-B.

ADVERTISING

The article continues below this ad

But was Red Bull alone in this company? Well no

The Austrian team’s admission led to more teams admitting the use of Flexi-Wings, including Ferrari and their client Alfa Romeo Racing.

ADVERTISING

The article continues below this ad

As a result, discussions are taking place in F1 that could lead to the ban on such aeroelastic wings. But Alfa Romeo, like other teams, has shown that they are against the ban on Flexi-Wings and are ready to protest if the decision goes against their interests.

What did Alfa Romeo F1 say?

Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur said that despite the use of such flexible rear wings, the team adhered to the rules of F1.

“Almost everyone has to. We all push the limits of the rules. That’s the DNA of Formula 1. There was a rule, and it was clear. A degree of deflection under a load of 1,000 Newtons. You will increase that now. So we will answer.

“I just don’t think it’s ideal that we change this rule in the middle of the season,” he told Auto Motor Und Sport.

Formula 1 F1 – Spanish Grand Prix – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalonia, Barcelona, ​​Spain – May 7th, 2021 Alfa Romeo Racing Team Principal Frederic Vasseur speaks at the press conference of the FIA ​​/ Handout via REUTERS

“We have to develop and produce the relevant parts from scratch. Maybe that will cost you wind tunnel time again. And this at a time when we are all trying to cut costs. “

It looks like Mercedes, too, could take a drastic blow from the possible technical changes to the wings of the F1. Red Bull boss Christian Horner recently pointed to the hypocrisy in Mercedes ‘claim when the Briton revealed he noticed that Mercedes’ front wings were also flexing.

Not the right approach: Vasseur

The 53-year-old thought it was too late for F1 to make engineering changes to ban wing bending. Rather, he insisted that F1 make these improvements during the winter break, when the teams are fully committed to testing their cars.

Formula 1 F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – Antonio Giovinazzi of Alfa Romeo in action during practice REUTERS / Gonzalo Fuentes

“That is not the right approach. If you want to change a rule, do it in the winter when the cars are being developed. And not after that. I don’t make rules, but the timing seems to be wrong, ”he said.

ADVERTISING

The article continues below this ad

Overall, it looks like more teams may team up in the race against phasing out the use of rear aeroelastic wings. It is therefore unlikely that F1 will be able to push the technical changes into the current season.

But if they do, the teams won’t go down without a fight. So how will this end? Will Mercedes win this protest? Or can Red Bull and others manage to hold onto the controversial rear wings until the end of this season?

ADVERTISING

The article continues below this ad

SUBMERGED DEPTH

Red Bull issues counter-threat to Mercedes’ Toto Wolff over Baku F1 protests

in about 3 hours