Mercedes not happy with FIA, wing was initially approved
F1 News
- GPblog.com
Mercedes is causing a stir with a new front wing the team brought with it to the United States. The wings feature five winglets that are supposed to direct air to the outside of the car. According to the FIA, the stabilisers are not in line with the regulations, but Mercedes does not quite agree.
Mercedes' new wing
Mercedes' new front wing immediately attracted attention in the paddock at the Circuit of the Americas. The top two plates are connected by five additional winglets, which should ensure airflow to the outside of the car. The team made no secret of the upgrade, as Andrew Shovlin explained on Thursday why the new wing has been taken to COTA.
"The modifications reduce the downforce at the front wing tip, improve the flow to the front brake ducts, which in turn improves the management of turbulence around the wing," he is quoted by Auto, Motor und Sport. News already broke on Friday that the wing was potentially illegal, AMuS can now confirm this.
FIA approved construction
Mercedes had sent the CAD (Computer Aided Designs) data to the FIA for approval and they got the go-ahead to build the new wing. The German team is therefore not happy that the wing has now finally been rejected after all. Until the Mexican GP, the team will reduce the stabiliser bars.