Flexiwings 2025

[Alexf1]

True, but they have developed much more in the meantime and I have absolutely no faith in the new load test preventing flexing.

[chrisc90]

To confirm, the tests are aimed at the upper flaps we typically post footage of on here?

[FNTC]

One of the changes is from 5mm to 3mm deflection of "Any part of the trailing edge of any front wing flap".

[Cs98]

To confirm, the tests are aimed at the upper flaps we typically post footage of on here?

Both the upper flaps and the structural elements. The upper flaps can't flex more than 3mm (down from 5mm pre-TD) when you apply 60N to their trailing edge. Then the other test on the lateral stiffness of the structural part of the wing is basically 1000N weight pressed down on the lower elements of the wing, and there you can't flex more than 10mm (down from 15mm pre-TD).

[Seanspeed]

McLaren first introduced flexi-wings on their car with the 2024 Miami upgrade. Before that, they were nowhere.

They were 2nd fastest in China last year even before the Miami GP.

And they had clearly made big strides in the prior year and a half or so. They were definitely on the up.

But their Miami upgrade was indeed transformative and seemed to take one of their weaknesses to like one of their biggest strengths(lower medium speed corners). I have no doubt the flexi wing was a notable part of that.

It's really just a matter of whether the specific testing they're doing is sufficient to curb it properly for everybody.

[f1isgood]

McLaren first introduced flexi-wings on their car with the 2024 Miami upgrade. Before that, they were nowhere.

They were 2nd fastest in China last year even before the Miami GP.

And they had clearly made big strides in the prior year and a half or so. They were definitely on the up.

But their Miami upgrade was indeed transformative and seemed to take one of their weaknesses to like one of their biggest strengths(lower medium speed corners). I have no doubt the flexi wing was a notable part of that.

It's really just a matter of whether the specific testing they're doing is sufficient to curb it properly for everybody.

I think they were on the up as early as Spain two years ago . Anyone remember Norris being P3 in qualifying surprising Verstappen? The signs were already there in early 2023.

Yeah pretty much. If teams can still flex their wings as much as before while running the test is not going to make any difference.

[FittingMechanics]

McLaren had big in season upgrades in 2023 as well, in a similar fashion they jumped from being a midfield car to fighting for podiums. Idea that some magical "flex wing" update in Miami 2024 is the reason they are so fast is completely misplaced and will get many people disappointed. Their development trajectory is steeper (better) than other teams and has been for 2+ years.

Only reason it is more noticeable is because in 2023 and 2024 they were late in bringing their full car to the track so once they brought the full car to the track, it seemed like a big magical step forward.

[codetower]

Am I incorrect in the reasoning that the flex not only helps reduce drag, but also greatly assists in redirecting the airflow at different speeds? To me this is the bigger advantage if you can direct airflow higher or lower at different speeds to different parts of the car during different types of turns. You can create different vortices and different aero loads on different parts of the car at different angles depending on where and how much downforce you need. Is this another possible advantage of the flex at different speeds?

[AR3-GP]

Mclaren and Red Bull appear to have simply reinforced their existing wing design. Mercedes and Ferrari brought updated front wing shapes.

[Vanja #66]

red bull wing is not the new wing according to people on the ground, just the old wing used as a replacement part while the car is reassembled

[AR3-GP]

Withholding judgement on Red Bull then.

[chrisc90]

McLaren has additional slot gap sepetators

[AR3-GP]

Mclaren's wing from Imola had molding provisions for the update. You can see them in the old wing:

[CjC]

Mclaren's wing from Imola had molding provisions for the update. You can see them in the old wing:


https://i.postimg.cc/90VsVPv9/image.png

Awesome spot. Aligns with the rumour Mclaren already ran a compliant wing (not entirely) this season.
So the carbon fibre weave mustn’t have changed just the bracket and adjuster?

[SB15]

Mclaren's wing from Imola had molding provisions for the update. You can see them in the old wing:


https://i.postimg.cc/90VsVPv9/image.png

Awesome spot. Aligns with the rumour Mclaren already ran a compliant wing (not entirely) this season.
So the carbon fibre weave mustn’t have changed just the bracket and adjuster?

Lot's of you don't understand that this change does immensely effect aero balance.