The FIA will test its wing monitoring system this weekend
While this system was only supposed to be introduced on June 15, the FIA has decided to conduct a full-scale test to verify the proper functioning of this test.
The FIA takes another step in its wing monitoring system. This weekend, the governing body of Formula 1 has decided to test its monitoring system by placing adhesive stickers on the cars. Technical delegates will use onboard cameras with markers they have placed on them to monitor the movement of the wings on the straight stretches.
The objective being to verify the proper functioning of this system before its official introduction on June 15th, for the French Grand Prix.
Since the Spanish Grand Prix, the rear wing of the Red Bull has already caused a lot of controversy and is notably in the sights of Mercedes’ executive director, Toto Wolff. The Austrian and other competitors consider it to be too flexible, which promotes straight-line speed, without reducing downforce in the corners.
The FIA has specified that it will not only monitor the wings. In its regulations, the authority « reserves the right to introduce other load / detection tests on any part of the bodywork that appears to move while the car is in motion. »
During the Monaco Grand Prix, Toto Wolff announced that he wanted these tests to be carried out as early as this weekend and not on June 15. The Austrian also stated that he would lodge a complaint with the FIA if he found that the Red Bull’s wing was too flexible.
Also to be noted, Red Bull is not backing down on the issue and has in turn threatened to sue Mercedes, but this time regarding the flexibility of the front wing of the Black Arrows.
However, the F1 sports manager, Ross Brawn, specified that the complaints were unlikely to be successful since all the cars undergo a technical inspection the day before the first free practice sessions.
