Fri Sep 20 12:40:00 UTC 2024: ## McLaren’s Rear Wing Under Scrutiny, FIA Orders Design Changes
McLaren’s innovative rear wing design, featuring a “mini-DRS” element, has come under fire from rival teams and prompted intervention from the FIA. Concerns were raised that the wing’s upper element flexed under aerodynamic load, potentially granting an illegal performance advantage.
While McLaren’s wing passed static load tests, the FIA’s Directive TD34 dictates that components must maintain their structural characteristics under dynamic racing conditions. Following an investigation, the FIA has determined that the wing’s flexibility under race conditions could be deemed illegal.
Despite allowing McLaren to continue using the current wing on certain tracks, the FIA has mandated design changes to ensure full compliance. This comes after drivers like Sergio Perez (Red Bull) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) publicly expressed their concerns about the wing’s legality.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri defended the team and the design, emphasizing its compliance with regulations and the rigorous testing it undergoes. However, the FIA’s intervention underscores the need for McLaren to revise their design and guarantee its adherence to all regulations under real-world racing conditions.
First Piper 