WHY NOT WAIT UNTIL 2026? The FIA's New Flexi-Wing Rules

It doesn't really make much sense. But then you hear that they're doing this so 'people will stop talking about it'. Then it begins to make perfect sense...
Maybe they just don't want people to go too far with it. That's understandable. They want a level playing field, which is also understandable because last season was pretty good for different winners and that sort of thing.
But to change it this late? That's not understandable. But then- the teams knew this was coming, which is why we didn't know about it until last week.
So- Let's figure out what all this is about then...
Enjoy! And remember to like and subscribe for more!
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[@cpt_nordbart]

"Gee, here we go again." That's CJ from GTA San Andreas in F1 friendly speak.

[@Exponaut_R-01]

"Aw fiddlesticks, here we go again."

[@AidanMillward]

@@cpt_nordbart bother.

[@DiceK1d]

I want to see more guitar content, would be cool

[@DarkLordDiablos]

Anyone remember when F1 was known for innovation. Now it seems that whenever a team does something amazing that the other teams are unable to copy and gives them a huge advantage. Those same teams complain and petition to get it banned. And yes I know there are going to be people who will point to races being boring due to knowing who's going to win. But that's not a bad thing if it means we see some amazing tech and innovative designs. F1 should be pushing boundaries rather than being restricted by rules.

[@animeshpati5525]

except it was the innovating team(Mclaren) who advocated for the ban

[@DarkLordDiablos]

@animeshpati5525 I know but most of the time it's the other teams who have been unable to make a new innovation work so get it banned out of spite.

[@TheDjsmurph]

Correct me if I'm wrong. But the rules regarding flexible bodywork hasnt changed just the tests to ensure compliance. The FIA has always reserved the right to change the tests.

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

Yes and no. They've restricted the movement even further. E.g. a 3mm gap on one section will now be 2mm. Apparently it makes a difference 🤷🏻‍♀️.

[@itsmeoli3705]

Great time for an upload, waiting in the car for the misses to get back!

[@Sauceyjames]

I live with an older couple in their 70s, and the man always complains about how long his wife takes to get ready. Sometimes you can finish a six pack, if it’s a good chat.

[@CyanRooper]

So that's what it feels like to be an F1 driver stuck in a long pitstop.

[@geniferteal4178]

More like why change the rules when you said you wouldn't? Oh I get it. It's to trick teams to spend money they don't have and then they're forced to have less budget for the rest of the year that way you can control some of the outcome of the season. Let's even wait a few races. So those that have made the change already can reap even more benefits from their previous investment before we make it illegal. Just because we didn't write the rules correctly in the first place. I am not bitter 😮😂

[@TheDjsmurph]

The rules haven't changed. The test to ensure compliance of the rules has changed.. subtle difference

[@geniferteal4178]

@TheDjsmurph The test becomes the rule. The object is to pass the test. You change the test, you've changed the rule.

[@Avto28]

I love how some people think that when McLaren/Mercedes have questionable parts that pass legality tests these equals legal, but when Ferrari/RBR do this those parts are illegal to begin with.

[@jortm4075]

well, every time ferrari or redbull came up with anything it was illegal the next race. but if merc/mclaren does it, they have a look and take six months to decide.

[@teabagtowers3823]

​@@jortm4075 McLaren’s flexible rear wing was banned within a couple of races after it was reported on last year. So no you're wrong.

[@connarcomstock161]

I liked the thing, so I've commented on the thing.

[@leemerton4008]

I liked this comment of the thing so I think I thing like thing

[@JohnSmithShields]

Did you use the button specifically for that?

[@philllawrence1580]

Its genuinely intrìguing as to which way 25 is gonna go!!

[@DrDezaro]

The genius of the McLaren design is that the trailing edge needs to deflect a lot to get much benefit but, if the leading edge lifts just so, then the airflow from the lower element can be used to practically stall the rear wing. The deflection test measures how much the wing deflects in the direction the force is applied (downwards as the force is due to gravity) … so where the leading edge lifts, well they aren’t actually testing that. Additionally, there are all sorts of complications that can be thrown at this. Is the deflection absolute or relative, because the trailing edge of the lower element can deflect 10mm downwards and the leading edge of the top element could deflect 10mm upwards, opening a 20mm gap … so if the deformation is a relative deformation then 20mm would be illegal … but, designing to manage the relative motion, particularly with vibrations etc is a very difficult and costly process, not to mention the costs involved in policing it and arguing against it.

[@rodclark5831]

Very tidy analysis, If the FIA tells you exactly where and by how much load they will be testing, is that not the actual problem. Stated allowable deflection: static testing with 3-9 points simultaneously with aero load values of 170 mph. Perhaps adapt a gynecological tool (with a load meter) for gap control.

[@DrDezaro]

@ I’m an engineer, not a gynaecologist. Sensor noise would be the issue with and displacement transducers and the FIA would need to do a high res FEA to calibrate surface stresses against strain gauge data. The other issue is that if the engineers know the limits and locations these measurements are taken from they can engineer a solution around it. I think the issue is that at some point these arguments remove half the fun of the sport. I kinda liked the flat bottom cars because you could see most of the design changes and for me that was “fair”. Mass dampers, f-ducts, 2nd brake pedal etc are generally a bit dodgy but, if they can make a wing that never touches the ground or anything else that risks it suddenly shattering and it doesn’t fail over the full race distance than I think it should be okay. If an external observer can see what is happening then other teams can catch up … it’s not cheating. Develop the car and sort it out on track. These innovations is what made F1 great in the old days, some team would come up with an idea, run with it a bit and after struggling they sort it out mid season and start crawling back the points and it ends up being a nail biter … like last year was with the McLarens, Red Bull and Ferrari. If you didn’t enjoy last year and thought it should’ve went differently then go watch Indycar or any of the other racing series with a stock designed car. Even GT3 with their homologation regulations is too good for you… Note: I’m not against cost capping … big budget teams being able to reinvent their car to a “b spec” mid-season to respond to some legendary innovation that a small budget team came up with but was still trying to make it work is not “fair”. Half the fun of F1 used to be that it could be won on the drawing board, the wind tunnel, the garage, the pit wall or from the drivers seat. The edge that defines a season could come from anywhere and that’s awesome.

[@PenryMMJ]

I don't believe there was a serious attempt to stop people talking about flexi wings. The more people talk about F1, the better it is for business. It's a social media age now. People like watching videos about F1 and commenting on them, just like I'm doing right now. Even though I'm old. Really old. Aidan is just a whippersnapper.

[@minibus9]

awesome video, going to be intersting to see what happens with this in terms of which team a driver reacts best to the change at the Spanish GP

[@chrisstephens6194]

Big up the stretch Armstrong reference ❤

[@ppeter1982]

I think the rule book should only be about 10 pages thick. Give them rules on safety structures, weight, dimensions and leave them to it. Be firm with the fuel use (must not exceed xxkg) and budget cap and then let them go crazy.

[@T_Mo271]

I think this rule change effective mid-year is a backdoor method of keeping teams from focusing exclusively on their 2026 cars.

[@Exponaut_R-01]

Indecisiveness is a killer I always say. If the FIA was internally bickering about it, it means have this weird timeframe instead of beginning or end of season. If realized what arguing would do and just went “we all want to ban it, let’s rip the band aid off” it would’ve felt different. Though, all of this assumes anyone was arguing about anything and that this isn’t coming from one man.

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

Engineers design new "not illegal" tech in what is effectively a prototype series. Oh no, heaven forfend! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@Alan-cg8gx]

Any team can find a loop hole it's just part on the sport. You have one person to see what the rules say and three to see what they don't say.

[@MotorsportManager-xd2vr]

I'm old, too! :D

[@rodclark5831]

If the FIA tells you exactly where and by how much load they will be testing, is that not the actual problem. Stated allowable deflection: static testing with 3-9 points simultaneously with aero load values of 170 mph. Perhaps adapt a gynecological tool (with a load meter) for gap control.

[@snowtrooper8817]

So from what I’ve read, it’s gonna be RBR who suffers the most. They’re the furthest behind. McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari are all on a level playing field with the flexi wings, with the SF-24 gaining flexi wings by Texas. Idk if the RB20 ever got them, however, I’d probably be more concerned about the other stuff going on with that car than flexi wings. I think it’s such a big thing as red bull for some reason can’t stand other teams having better aero than them. Not as in “we are competitive team this is unacceptable” more a “no we are the best if they’re quicker than us they MUST be cheating”. So I think it’s the latest scape goat from RBR which makes it such a big deal. It definitely helps but the SF-24 and MCL38 weren’t as competitive as they were just because of some bendy wings. Also I think McLaren voluntarily removed the bendy wing after Baku, and I don’t think it ran any other race other than Baku.

[@AidanMillward]

@@snowtrooper8817 “we’ve got Newey if they have better aero they must be cheating!”

[@teabagtowers3823]

Yeah but Horner runs off the stewards/FIA anytime anything doesn't go his way.

[@tangerinedream7211]

If they're not capable of policing the wing rules, perhaps a spec front and rear wing will be mandated one day .

[@henkormel5610]

The timing for this TD is strange to say the least.

[@patrickdurst9623]

Aidan you’re the thing ❤

[@iboi70]

Why ban it after 9 out of 24 races... Why not ban it halfway, after 12 races... Would have been more fair IMHO.

[@MartinBennett12]

Didn’t they take off that mini DRS from Singapore onwards

[@brokentuskclan1795]

Next they'll be saying you can't use a stove as an engine, Arkansas Chug-a-bug style.

[@JohnSmithShields]

I don't understand why they change stuff mid-season, apart from emergency safety changes.

[@micodyerski1621]

U r not old. I got all those "old" references. We are 'experienced'.

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

Bring back the Red Bull rubber nose.

[@micodyerski1621]

Chaos in a governing body, like the FIA, means a weak leader. 😮 I live in USA, know all about chaos ... 🥺

[@jortm4075]

thank god Biden is gone now!

[@geniferteal4178]

What if you had an outside entity? Design and build your wing, and then when it was outlawed, you decided not to buy it? Then it wouldn't be part of the cost cap, because you didn't actually build it or use it. Wasn't mercedes claiming something like this that if they didn't use the part they didn't count it towards the cost cap?

[@gadgetbuddy1965]

how about u still pay them but through another corporate entity...

[@geniferteal4178]

@gadgetbuddy1965 well, then you're paying for parts, your not counting. You could use an offshore account or whatever you want.I'm sure there's all kinds of stuff they try to hide. I'm just saying if you don't use it, but you made it.Should you have to pay for it? And in this case, it's not even your fault. They change the rules. It's a technicality to say they change the rules, but they did kinda say they weren't doing anything and then they did so close to the start of the season

[@WanderWisley]

“Welcome to F1 where the points don’t matter and the rules are made up.” FIA

[@mattt525]

This one is extremely frustrating to me.

[@aleopardstail]

rules change.. so which team was unable to get a working version of this for this season then?

[@JohnSmithShields]

*cough* Red Bull *cough*

[@megusta9268]

You are trusting the race........

[@AidanMillward]

@megusta9268 their describing what’s what stuff is pretty solid. It’s the driver ratings that are pure rage bait and I love it.

[@kensowul3345]

I am sure no young man ever bought a Whitesnake just for the album cover "art". Talk about flexible body work.

[@AidanMillward]

@@kensowul3345 didn’t they also have a song called Slide it In?

[@neilyoung4554]

aren't these deflecting bits, moveable aerodynamics? shouldn't they be covered by that rule anyway?

[@BrassMaster84]

I say let the wings flex as much as they can, and then penalized the crap out of them if they fail.

[@fathertimegaming17]

F1's doing everything they can to make me not watch anymore. Sports car racing so good right now. I don't even think it matters.

[@konekillerking]

Conspiracy theory: the FIA found out that the wrong team had figured out a work around. 🤨

[@bmstylee]

That would not be shocking

[@JohnSmithShields]

Damn you Hass!!!!

[@tubularcandy812]

As long os the Fia can help a British team, they will do anything

[@AidanMillward]

Yawn.

[@jortm4075]

@@AidanMillward true though

[@herbertwilliams1608]

I hate wings, I hate suction aero! I wish. I dream of a racecar similar to the last Bugatti racecar. Entire B. and not Hal Chapperal (?) Or make all the racecars like G. Murray's Brahham Alfa Romeo.

[@davefloyd9443]

Although the Brabham was found to be sending 55% of the fans air to the radiators....

[@AidanMillward]

@@davefloyd9443 Gordon Murray played a blinder with that one.

[@paulob.moreno7603]

Middle season rule changes are VERY COOL! FIA should make 1 big change every 5 races to mess up with the teams development!

[@pmayo7894]

Hate to break it, but it might not go the way you think.

[@chrisdavidson911]

Were people crying like this in 2009 when the double diffuser legality was being discussed?

[@AidanMillward]

@@chrisdavidson911 only Red Bull.

[@Gin2341]

WHY NOT WAIT UNTIL 2026? More like this should be banned at the starting race of the season LMAO