Flexible fins: Red Bull threatens to lodge a complaint against Mercedes
Mercedes and Red Bull have entered a war of threats regarding the legality of their fins. As we approach the 6th race, Baku could be the scene of these threats being put into action.
For the past few days, the two leading teams in the constructors’ championship have been clashing in the media regarding the flexibility of their wings. Since the Spanish Grand Prix, Brackley’s team has accused the Austrian firm of using a rear wing that is too flexible, favoring straight-line speed without reducing downforce in the corners.
While the FIA plans to tighten controls starting from the French Grand Prix, teams will still be able to benefit from their flexible wings in Azerbaijan. On the urban circuit of Baku, Red Bull would gain an advantage of at least six-tenths according to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. In order to counter this practice, Wolff had already threatened to lodge a complaint.
However, these threats do not frighten the Austrian firm. Indeed, Helmut Marko feels ready to counterattack and once again points out the flexibility of the silver arrow’s front wing, as he stated in an interview for Formel1.de: “We find this a bit strange because the FIA has decided on these rules for the load tests, especially the torsion resistance which will be changed. This will apply from the Paul Ricard. It’s now very clear. But if Mr. Wolff believes it’s too late for him, in my opinion, it’s still up to the FIA to decide on the procedure. If he wants to protest, he is free to do so. But I think he should take a closer look at his front wing. Because on Servus TV as well as on Sky, there were videos where we clearly saw that his wing is drastically close to the ground.”
Asked about the possibility of Red Bull filing a complaint against Mercedes, Marko says he is ready to do so.
