McLaren to modify wing after complaints from rivals

McLaren will modify the rear wing it used to win the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after rivals raised questions about its legality.

Motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, said the wing, which was seen on television footage flexing at high speed, had passed all deformation tests. Initially I had no intention of demanding any changes from McLaren.

However, the FIA ​​changed its stance following complaints from rivals, mainly Red Bull, and talks with McLaren.

McLaren can continue to use the wing, but it must be modified so that it does not behave in the same way as seen in the television images in Baku.

A rear-facing camera on race winner Oscar Piastri’s car showed the wing’s edges flexing upwards at high speed on the long Baku straight.

Red Bull has not made any public comment on the wing, but sources close to the matter say team principal Christian Horner has been lobbying intensively behind the scenes for the FIA ​​to take action.

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said: “We all agree that the front wing could be a grey area. The rear wing is different because (defined) in the article (in the regulations) there is a maximum deflection and this is black or white, not grey.”

Vasseur said the wing was “more than at its limit” and the issue was “frustrating” in the context of the close competition at the last two races at Monza and Baku, where the wing was used.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc won the Italian Grand Prix after McLaren secured a front-row spot. Piastri finished second at Monza and teammate Lando Norris was third.

In Azerbaijan, Leclerc was overtaken by Piastri at the end of the pit straight and the Australian claimed the second victory of his career.

The decision only affects the rear wing that McLaren will use on high-speed, low-drag circuits, so it will not affect the team in this weekend’s race in Singapore, or in subsequent races in the United States, Mexico or Brazil.

And there will be no retroactive punishment for McLaren over this matter.

The next race where the wing is likely to be used will be the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November.