Given the FIA’s concern that a number of teams are using flexible rear wings to achieve a straight-line increase in speed, new stiffness tests are being introduced at the French Grand Prix.
The timing means the outfits the trick wings resulted in – including Red Bull, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo – can continue to benefit from it at the next race in Baku.
It’s a situation that upset both Mercedes and McLaren, especially since the Baku track layout is one of the best for running flexible wings.
Both teams are discussing the timing of the new tests with the FIA, but it is now more likely that the matter will be headed for a protest.
When Wolff spoke to Sky Sports F1 after the Monaco GP, it was clear that if rival outfits were allowed to continue the flexible wings in Baku, action would be taken to file a complaint with the stewards.
“Yes, I think when the hover wings are on in Baku, with the benefit we see, it will go to the stewards,” said Wolff.
“And if the stewards are not enough, it goes to the ICA [International Court of Appeal].
“I think the FIA will sort things out before Baku because if not it could be very messy.”
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl said the FIA’s reaction to the situation for Baku over the next week will be crucial in deciding how its own outfit goes.
“Obviously we are independent of what Mercedes does,” he said. “At the moment we are also having a dialogue with the FIA.
“And as I said, we are absolutely not happy that cars that we believe are clearly not compliant, and after it has been determined that they are not compliant, that our competitors can continue to drive these cars.
“That’s why we have this dialogue with the FIA and then we have to start it from there next week.”
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Wolff has dismissed concerns that rival Red Bull might protest against a counterattack against Mercedes’ flexible front wing, suggesting that there is a strong legal battle behind any action his outfit takes to resolve the Baku matter.
“We analyzed the front wings and they bend just like the Red Bull. So we could protest against each other on the front wing,” he said.
“But it is clear that the rear wing is flexing more than it should. According to the rules, it was classified as non-compliant. But we are in a vacuum where this is a new test that will be introduced to Baku. So it is what it is. But we are pretty robust in our legal position. “
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