the EDGE wrote:SmallSoldier wrote: ↑21 May 2021, 15:59
MrGapes wrote:Interesting stuff out about potential protest regarding the flexi rear wings - since Andreas has been quite vocal about the illegality of the rear wings...could we see McLaren also possibly protest Ferrari etc. for the Baku race if the test isn’t moved forward..
It would be the smart move... Not a lot to lose if they do and potential points to be gained if they do
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I fail to see how a protest could succeed
As long as the car passes the test in place at the time then it’s legal
When the FIA choose to implement a beefed up test is up to them, but until they do there is nothing that can be done about it
Well, without trying to go way off-topic on the Team Thread (there is plenty of debate already going on in the Flexi Wing thread)... Mclaren can protest the wings even when they are passing the tests.
There are a few points that make the probability of success from a protest high:
- There is Precedent: In 2014 Red Bull was disqualified from Qualifying at the Abu Dhabi race due to Flexible Front Wings, the wings passed every test in place at the time, but where deem illegal, regardless of the fact that they passed the test.
- The Test is not a Rule: The rule is that bodywork has to be “rigid” and with no degree of motion... That’s the rule... The test is intended to ensure that is the case, but the fact that the test may not catch the type of movement (rotation) and that the loads used may not be representative, doesn’t mean that the rule in regards to movable parts / aero isn’t violated.
- The rule allows flexibility but also determines degree of motion: If I’m not wrong, the rules do allow for certain flexibility since the parts can’t be infinitely rigid, but they do mention 1 degree of motion... Is the movement of the Red Bull more than 1 degree? That’s something that we don’t know and can’t accurately measure just based on the footage.
That’s why during the press conference yesterday, Wolf made a comment of the matter going all the way to the ICA and it could very well be the case... If Mclaren is very certain that their wing adheres to the rules, they can protest their rivals wings (at which point is the duty of the rivals to proof that their wings are in fact legal)... For Mclaren is a win-win situation if they protest:
A) If the wings are deemed legal and no further action is taken, they have disrupted their rivals, forced them to use resources to proof that their wings are legal.
B) If the wings are deemed illegal and penalties are applied, it helps in the constructors championship
I don’t see how a potential protest would be detrimental for the team.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk