FIA's crackdown on flexi-wings starts at Spanish Grand Prix, know more about the rule change and McLaren's potential advantage
Image credit: McLaren
The action for the historic Spanish Grand Prix has begun in Barcelona, and the one thing that's going to be different in the Formula 1 race will be a rule change which will prevent the F1 teams from using the flexi-wing advantage on track.
Depending on how the forces are applied, the maximum allowed flex is now reduced to either 10mm or 15mm. Still, McLaren has an added advantage, and they may lay their claim on the podium yet again.
How do flexi-wings increase the speed of an F1 car
The flexible wings help reduce drag on the straights, making the car faster, while still maintaining high downforce in corners for better grip. If a team designs a wing that bends just enough at high speed (on straights) to reduce drag — but springs back to its original shape at lower speeds (in corners) — it gives them a clear performance advantage.
Why McLaren can still be the fastest car
Mark Hughes and Giorgio Piola have explained on the F1 website that McLaren's special cooling louvres might give them an edge in the hot weather expected in Spain, where Sunday's temperatures at the time of the race are expected to be around 30–32°C.
According to F1oversteer.com, McLaren can control how heat exits the car through those louvres, making sure it doesn't disrupt airflow over the rear wing or the floor between the rear wheels and the diffuser.
This setup is especially helpful at lower-speed circuits like Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where efficient airflow can make a big difference.
Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the previous season's Spanish Grand Prix, while McLaren's Lando Norris finished second. The lineup can be similar this year, with McLaren's other driver, Oscar Piastri, being a very strong contender after already winning four races this year.
Also Read:
Spanish Grand Prix 2025: Schedule, timings and where to watch the Formula 1 race
Norris recently won the Monaco Grand Prix and dedicated the win to his mom and dad. This was his second win of the season after the Australian Grand Prix. He is just three points behind teammate Piastri who leads the F1 Driver Standings with 161 points.
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