Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is puzzled by the FIA’s decision to introduce new front wing stiffness tests 🛠️—but only starting from Round 9 of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
🏁 Stricter Wing Tests Incoming
The FIA has confirmed that tougher rear wing tests will take effect from the first race of the season next month 🏎️, aiming to curb excessive flexing. However, officials won’t enforce new front wing stiffness tests until the Spanish Grand Prix 🇪🇸 in late May.
This move follows the FIA’s investigation into wing behavior from last season. The concern? Teams may have designed wings to flex at high speeds 📈—reducing drag for better top speed—before regaining stiffness under braking to maximize cornering downforce.
🧐 Horner: “Why Race 9?”
Horner acknowledged the rule changes will be interesting, but questioned the delayed introduction of the front wing tests.
“The oddball about it is the timing,” he said. “Why race nine?
It might have been better to address this in the off-season 🏗️, because now teams will have to develop two different wing specs.”
🔮 Unclear Impact on Teams
Horner admitted that predicting the impact of these changes is near impossible 🤷♂️.
“Who will gain or lose from it? I think it’s impossible to predict.”
Meanwhile, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown is unfazed by the upcoming tests. He pointed out how McLaren adapted last season when officials questioned their rear wing design after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 🇦🇿.
“I don’t think it’s a significant change for us,” Brown stated.
“It’s too hard to tell who wins or loses over it, because I don’t think it’s going to be a material change for anybody.”
🔍 What’s Next?
With uncertainty around the impact of the FIA’s tougher wing tests, teams must navigate potential design challenges while staying competitive 🔥. Whether these rule tweaks will shift the Formula 1 pecking order is still uncertain—but all eyes will be on Spain 🇪🇸 when the front wing changes finally take effect.
