The specter of a protest hung over the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Friday as a row over ‘flexible’ rear wings dominated the dialog within the Formulation One paddock.
The sixth spherical of the season is the final earlier than the governing FIA introduces new flexibility assessments after some groups have been suspected of actually bending the principles with wings that handed static inspection however labored in another way at pace.
The FIA has ordered groups to use stickers and colored dots to the wings this weekend so rear-facing cameras can monitor them extra precisely.
Formulation One’s guidelines say all elements influencing a automotive’s aerodynamic efficiency should be rigidly secured and stay motionless.
McLaren boss Andreas Seidl welcomed the brand new measures however mentioned his Mercedes-powered workforce remained sad that rivals may proceed to achieve a bonus.
“We merely have to see now in the midst of the weekend what is going to occur,” he advised reporters when requested whether or not the specter of a protest remained lively.
“I don’t wish to go into dialogue of a protest for the time being,” he added. “Usually it doesn’t make sense to do something earlier than the occasion as a result of you possibly can change a rear wing on Saturday morning.”
Mercedes workforce boss Toto Wolff warned on the earlier Monaco Grand Prix that delaying the introduction of the brand new assessments till after Baku “leaves the door open for protests”.
The ‘flexible wing’ controversy was flagged up by Mercedes’ seven occasions world champion Lewis Hamilton on the Spanish Grand Prix when he commented on title rival Max Verstappen’s Crimson Bull.
Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Alpine have additionally been within the highlight.
Baku’s lengthy and quick straights give a specific benefit to vehicles with a flexi-wing. Seidl mentioned any workforce whose rear wing confirmed extreme deflection this weekend ought to face penalties.
“From our viewpoint, if we see deflections once more like we’ve seen in Barcelona there must be motion right here this weekend,” he mentioned. “How this motion will seem like within the paddock, I don’t know but.”
Seidl dismissed a suggestion that groups wanted time for structural adjustments.
“Each Formulation One workforce is ready to right these particular matters or points inside every week if it’s a must to and that’s why we aren’t pleased with the response of the FIA,” he mentioned.
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