The FIA informed the teams ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix that it will shortly introduce more stringent rear wing retraction tests to prevent them from taking advantage of flexible aerodynamics.
The umbrella organization has introduced a grace period before the start of the tests, during which the teams can make changes until the French Grand Prix.
While much of the focus has turned to Red Bull, the changes will force a number of teams to make changes after Lewis Hamilton suggested driving a “pliable wing” at the Spanish GP.
Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto has announced that his outfit is one of the squads affected.
“Yes, we take advantage,” said Binotto of the teams that are driving the flexible wing rules. “I think all teams somehow take advantage of what is possible and what we think is right.
“The [FIA] technical guideline also clarifies and we will have to adjust something.
“I think it has an effect on Ferrari, certainly on the lap time, it seems, very, very little. But there are some new designs that have to be prepared to fully meet the technical guideline.”
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Red Bull understands that the new tests will require changes to the rear wing, assuming the estimated cost of $ 500,000 to compromise some budget cap.
Team boss Christian Horner said: “For a team like us, of course, that means running up against the upper limit, then of course you have to make strategic decisions.
“They know the impact of something like this is likely to be about half a million dollars to keep something else from happening. So this is the juggling act we have to do now.”
While rivals Mercedes and McLaren are dissatisfied that the teams have been given a grace period before the new tests, Horner believes it is unfair to make a change immediately.
“You can’t just conjure up components,” he said. “I think if they changed the front wing tests this weekend, for example, and we saw a lot more performance from the front wing flexibility, let’s say it would affect every single team, some a lot more than others.
“I think there has to be a lead time. You cannot expect that parts will be topped up overnight with the costs incurred.
“In these load tests, the car complies with the regulations that have been in place for about 18 months. And then the test was changed and there must be a period of notice.”
Alpine boss Laurent Rossi, whose team is also suspected of running a flexible rear wing, says his outfit would make any changes necessary to meet the new tests.
“We’re designing a car that complies with the regulations,” he said. “If the tests prove that we have to adhere to a new set of rules, we will do so. I can’t say more about that.”
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