Front wing controversy goes on in Formula One
Red Bull Racing has turned down all speculations from rival Formula One teams against the front wing of their RB6. It was rumoured that FIA’s strict tests regarding the front wing flexibility has decreased the performance of Red Bull at Spa-Francorchamps.
Formula One’s governing body, FIA introduced stern flexibility tests to check cars after the charges put on Red Bull and Ferrari by some of the rival teams claiming that their extra front wing flexibility has provided them with additional speed.
As FIA carried these tests before the Belgian Grand Prix none of the teams was found guilty however, Jenson Button of McLaren and some of the other teams now accused Red Bull that they made some quick changes in their front wing in order to clear these tests and this has resulted in decreasing their speed in the last race.
However, Red Bull Racing as well as Ferrari declared that no changes had been made in their wings for Spa, and any accusations against them are completely baseless.
The observation that led the other teams suspect Red Bull was that both their cars appeared to be running farther away from the ground in the last race as compared to what was seen in some of the earlier races.
Championship defender, Jenson Button while talking to Daily Telegraph expressed his views saying that he strongly believes that the new wing tests have made a huge difference in Red Bull’s pace.
He further explained saying that the characteristics of the track were suitable for the McLaren car which improved its speed whereas Red Bull's pace was seen lower not because of the track type but actually due to the new tests.
"I hope the new, even more stringent tests for Monza will have even more of an effect. They [Red Bull] say they won't have to change anything but they said that here. Watching the car here on the track it was not flexing as much."
Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, replied to Vettel’s charges saying that no changes had been made in their car’s outfit for this race however he hinted that McLaren's high pace was due to greater flexibility seen in their wing at this race.
"I can categorically tell you that they are the same wings that ran in Hungary a month ago,” he insisted.
"Whether that is the same for our competitors I can't say but I would be very interested to know - and you might find it was a silver wing that was most flexible this weekend,” he further continued saying.
However, after all the blame game and pointing out at each other by all the teams, FIA has stood up to be more strict and has chartered more extensive and detailed tests. It has announced to carry tough floor and front wing tests for the upcoming race at Monza. It has also proclaimed that almost every team on the grid would need to make some changes in the cars to pass these tests.
Furthermore, the bosses of the top teams that had been under more criticism have called this measure by FIA to be an essential one to bring this long held controversy to an end. The McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh, the team principal of Mercedes GP, Ross Brawn as well as Horner seem optimistic by these tests as they will bring all the teams to a fair competition.
"On the basis that nothing has changed on our car, I cannot see why they should not be happy," Horner commented. "I would be interested to know who had the most flexible front wing this weekend, because I can guarantee it wasn't us."
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