Not a eureka moment, but Mercedes and McLaren's new flexi-wings have significantly contributed to their upsurge in pace.
The controversy over flexi wings resurfaced a few weeks ago when Red Bull reportedly alerted the FIA to rival designs, appearing to open up another battleground for a team that has lost the dominance it enjoyed during the 2023 season.
Under the current regulations, cars tend to understeer in slow corners due to the higher downforce on the rear axle. However, this changes significantly in faster corners when the ground effect kicks in. Key parameters include suspension, ride height, and, most importantly, the aerodynamic balance between the front and rear axles. While the floor of the car is the primary generator of downforce, we must not forget the front wing, which plays a crucial role in directing airflow where we want it.How flexi-wings address the issue
Ideally, the front wing will be stiff enough at low speeds to generate sufficient downforce to avoid understeer, while at high speeds, it will flex to shift the aerodynamic balance and reduce the tendency for oversteer. Additionally, on long straights, flexible wings can significantly reduce drag and increase top speed.
The aerodynamic balance improved significantly after the upgrade, resolving issues with the rear of the car. Mercedes became fast in almost all types of corners, particularly in fast corners and on straights where they had excellent top speed. The only area where they weren’t as quick was in slow corners, but this wasn’t a major issue.
The confirmation that the new upgrade worked came on Sunday when McLaren was the fastest team in the wet conditions. In such conditions, maintaining tyre temperature and car stability is crucial, which is easiest to achieve with additional downforce. McLaren was also helped by an aggressive aero package on the rear and beam wing.
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