Latest news with #frontwing
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hamilton says new front wing rule 'waste of money'
Lewis Hamilton says the introduction of a new rule clamping down on front wing flexibility at the Spanish Grand Prix was "a waste of money". Governing body the FIA imposed a stiffer load test on front wings to try to limit the amount teams could exploit their movement on track for aerodynamic advantage. Advertisement But Hamilton said: "Just wasted everyone's money. It's literally changed nothing. "Everyone's wings still bend, it's just half the bending, and everyone's had to make new wings and spend more money to make these. It just doesn't make sense." The Ferrari driver added that he "wasn't expecting" anything of the change before coming to Spain. "I drove it on the simulator, and it's pretty much exactly the same, Hamilton said. "A little bit more oversteer in the high speed. Could have given it all to charity, you know?" A new front wing in F1 costs about £100,000, in addition to research and development resources. Advertisement The FIA delayed the introduction of the rule until this race, the ninth of the season, because it expected that the vast majority of teams would be introducing new front wings in Spain anyway as part of their normal development programmes. A spokesperson for the FIA declined to comment specifically on Hamilton's remarks. The move is widely perceived within F1 to have come after pressure from Red Bull on the FIA over McLaren's use of flexi-wings, which were being exploited by all the top teams and most of the others. Red Bull have been raising questions with the FIA in recent months about a number of aspects of the McLaren car on the grounds of legality but no issue has been found with its design and no action has been taken. Advertisement McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said: "We always thought that the impact would have been relatively negligible because when we saw the numbers associated to this change of aero-elastic effect, they were small numbers in terms of downforce and in terms of variation of downforce with speed. "When we tested this wing in Imola [two races ago], if we hadn't told Lando that it was a different wing, he wouldn't have spotted it, and when we simulated it, it was almost zero. "So we were not expecting a change of the pecking order as a function of the technical directive that was released for this race. "In terms of wasting the money or not, this is not a point of view that we actually reflected on, because the technical directive has been there for a long time, so this was long-planned and we could find efficiency as well in terms of how you planned to introduce this modification." Advertisement Stella added that the "economics" behind the rule changes "must have been slightly inefficient", but he said: "I don't think this is a major factor." Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris locked out the front row in Barcelona ahead of Max Verstappen [PA Media] What are F1 flexi-wings? Flexible front wings are employed by teams because they allow them to gain straight-line speed for the same cornering performance, or improve cornering while not sacrificing speed on the straights. The idea is for the flaps of the front wing to bend downwards under load at speed, reducing drag, before moving back up to increase downforce for corners. Under the current generation of cars, teams have also found that flexi-wings improve their balance across a range of cornering speeds. Advertisement The cars, which produce most of their downforce from shared underbodies known as venturis, are prone to oversteer (too little rear grip compared to front) in high-speed corners, and low-speed understeer (not enough front grip). The flexi wings allow teams to improve the low-speed performance while not making the cars too nervous in high speed. Hamilton targeting Spain podium While Lewis Hamilton has yet to make the main podium this season, he did win the sprint race in China two months ago [Getty Images] Hamilton, who starts fifth in Barcelona, said his target was to "try and get to the podium. I haven't been on a podium for a long time". His last podium was in Las Vegas last November, when he was driving for Mercedes. Advertisement He referred to former team-mate George Russell taking the lead from fourth on the grid in Spain last year. "Long way down to turn one. We saw the start George got last year," Hamilton said. "So, I will be trying my best to try and get a good start. And then otherwise, after that, it's just about managing the tyres here, which is challenging." Piastri said he was wary about "the long run to turn one, so I've got to make sure we try and get a good start". He added: "It will be an interesting race still and it's not as simple as take the lead at the start and cruise from there. It's going to be a challenge to manage the tyres, timing your stops right. There's going to be a lot going on." Advertisement Verstappen said: "It's time to shine in turn one, yeah. Make it three [cars] wide for the pictures. Why not? "My long run [in Friday practice] wasn't bad, but if you look at the difference today, it will be tough to put up a really, really good fight. But that doesn't mean that we're not going try. "Like Oscar said, it's not all about the start and turn one. You need to be good on tyres. It's a long race. A lot can happen. So, I'll just try to maximise what I got."
BBC News
an hour ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Hamilton says new front wing rule 'waste of money'
Lewis Hamilton says the introduction of a new rule clamping down on front wing flexibility at the Spanish Grand Prix was "a waste of money".Governing body the FIA imposed a stiffer load test on front wings to try to limit the amount teams could exploit their movement on track for aerodynamic Hamilton said: "Just wasted everyone's money. It's literally changed nothing."Everyone's wings still bend, it's just half the bending, and everyone's had to make new wings and spend more money to make these. It just doesn't make sense."The Ferrari driver added that he "wasn't expecting" anything of the change before coming to Spain."I drove it on the simulator, and it's pretty much exactly the same, Hamilton said. "A little bit more oversteer in the high speed. Could have given it all to charity, you know?"A new front wing in F1 costs about £100,000, in addition to research and development FIA delayed the introduction of the rule until this race, the ninth of the season, because it expected that the vast majority of teams would be introducing new front wings in Spain anyway as part of their normal development programmes.A spokesperson for the FIA declined to comment specifically on Hamilton's remarks. The move is widely perceived within F1 to have come after pressure from Red Bull on the FIA over McLaren's use of flexi-wings, which were being exploited by all the top teams and most of the Bull have been raising questions with the FIA in recent months about a number of aspects of the McLaren car on the grounds of legality but no issue has been found with its design and no action has been team principal Andrea Stella said: "We always thought that the impact would have been relatively negligible because when we saw the numbers associated to this change of aero-elastic effect, they were small numbers in terms of downforce and in terms of variation of downforce with speed."When we tested this wing in Imola [two races ago], if we hadn't told Lando that it was a different wing, he wouldn't have spotted it, and when we simulated it, it was almost zero."So we were not expecting a change of the pecking order as a function of the technical directive that was released for this race."In terms of wasting the money or not, this is not a point of view that we actually reflected on, because the technical directive has been there for a long time, so this was long-planned and we could find efficiency as well in terms of how you planned to introduce this modification."Stella added that the "economics" behind the rule changes "must have been slightly inefficient", but he said: "I don't think this is a major factor." What are F1 flexi-wings? Flexible front wings are employed by teams because they allow them to gain straight-line speed for the same cornering performance, or improve cornering while not sacrificing speed on the idea is for the flaps of the front wing to bend downwards under load at speed, reducing drag, before moving back up to increase downforce for the current generation of cars, teams have also found that flexi-wings improve their balance across a range of cornering cars, which produce most of their downforce from shared underbodies known as venturis, are prone to oversteer (too little rear grip compared to front) in high-speed corners, and low-speed understeer (not enough front grip).The flexi wings allow teams to improve the low-speed performance while not making the cars too nervous in high speed. Hamilton targeting Spain podium Hamilton, who starts fifth in Barcelona, said his target was to "try and get to the podium. I haven't been on a podium for a long time". His last podium was in Las Vegas last November, when he was driving for referred to former team-mate George Russell taking the lead from fourth on the grid in Spain last year."Long way down to turn one. We saw the start George got last year," Hamilton said. "So, I will be trying my best to try and get a good start. And then otherwise, after that, it's just about managing the tyres here, which is challenging."Piastri said he was wary about "the long run to turn one, so I've got to make sure we try and get a good start".He added: "It will be an interesting race still and it's not as simple as take the lead at the start and cruise from there. It's going to be a challenge to manage the tyres, timing your stops right. There's going to be a lot going on."Verstappen said: "It's time to shine in turn one, yeah. Make it three [cars] wide for the pictures. Why not?"My long run [in Friday practice] wasn't bad, but if you look at the difference today, it will be tough to put up a really, really good fight. But that doesn't mean that we're not going try."Like Oscar said, it's not all about the start and turn one. You need to be good on tyres. It's a long race. A lot can happen. So, I'll just try to maximise what I got."
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Front wing changes a waste of money, says Hamilton
BARCELONA, May 31 (Reuters) - Formula One's stricter front wing flex tests have made no difference and the money spent on making changes would have been better given to charity, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton said on Saturday. The rule change had been eagerly awaited for the Spanish Grand Prix weekend with some hoping it might help slow runaway leaders McLaren. Instead, the Woking-based team swept the front row at the Circuit de Catalunya with championship leader Oscar Piastri on pole position and his closest rival Lando Norris more dominant than ever. "It has not made a difference," said seven times world champion Hamilton, who qualified fifth with hopes of reaching the podium. "It's been a waste of money. It's just wasted everyone's money. Everyone's wings still bend, it's just half the bending, and everyone's had to make new wings and spend more money to make these," added the Briton. "It doesn't make sense... I would have given that money to charity." McLaren boss Andrea Stella said his team, runaway leaders in the constructors' standings after six wins from eight of 24 rounds, had always considered the 'game-changer' talk to be overblown. "The technical directive was a big talking point. It was quite immaterial. It was always going to be minor when you look at the numbers," the Italian told Sky Sports television. "It entertained to have this kind of debate but our simulations said everything was very small. We weren't concerned from this point of view."
The Guardian
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Guardian
New F1 wing rules are talk of pit lane in Spain but McLaren still out in front
All the talk in Spain this week has been about the potential impact of the FIA's clampdown on the flexing of front wings and the governing body's hope this might close up the pecking order on the grid. Certainly those chasing the dominant McLaren were hopeful that might be the case. The technical regulation was imposed as teams look to push the boundaries of the rules, with a flex in the wing under load affording the maximum downforce in corners. In order to maintain a level playing field, the wings must now pass a deflection test measuring the leeway of flex in the wing. This has been reduced from 15mm to 10mm. Such is the minutiae that engineers and regulators adore, but where it matters is in racing terms. The adjustment was brought in over concerns that McLaren were exploiting it to their advantage. The FIA decided to impose a reset but the front wing is such an integral part of the car and it allowed time to develop the new models until now, the ninth round of the season. Red Bull have intimated their doubts over McLaren's wing legality front and rear. The regulations on the rear wing were tightened for the Chinese GP and McLaren still emerged on top. Their team principal Andrea Stella had been bullish that the changes would have no effect on the strengths of their car and believed it meant their rivals were focused on the wrong things. Then there are teams such as Ferrari, who have not exploited the potential advantages as much as other squads and who may hope to make gains by their rivals losing a little. Team principal Fred Vasseur admitted they had been working 'for ages' on what he considered might be a 'game-changer'. There is also the consideration that it may affect tyre degradation, given it is a key part of the airflow over the car. This is an area where McLaren have had their biggest advantage, able to push harder and longer on their tyres, a strength which will be particularly notable on the high temperature and high-speed Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya which puts a heavy load through the rubber. Whether this is the case will not be truly discernible until the race and the teams put in a full stint in the blazing sunshine on a circuit that offers the ideal test bed to ascertain how these changes have panned out. McLaren's Lando Norris, who won at the last round in Monaco and now trails his teammate and championship leader Oscar Piastri by just three points, was convinced the changes would have no effect on McLaren and indeed the team had already debuted their new version of the wing in practice at Imola. Certainly in first practice they appeared to have nonchalantly shrugged off the changes. Norris was once more comfortably quickest, over three-tenths clear of Max Verstappen in second with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in third and fourth for Ferrari, with Piastri fifth. Verstappen, the defending champion, has already noted he did not expect the changes to make a major difference to the Red Bull and his team principal Christian Horner said he believed it was too early to tell if there had been any impact on other teams. 'The change is reasonably subtle, but it is reasonably significant,' he said. 'Now, whether it's a net or same effect for each of the teams is difficult to tell. Still early days but the net effect to us has been rather small.' By the end of second practice the pecking order however remained very familiar – Piastri over two-tenths clear of the Mercedes of George Russell, Verstappen third, Norris fourth and Leclerc fifth, suggesting it is very much plus ça change in Spain and leaving McLaren with a firm hold on the championship.
BBC News
a day ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Norris tops first practice at Spanish Grand Prix
McLaren's Lando Norris headed Red Bull's Max Verstappen in first practice at the Spanish Grand winner in Monaco five days ago, was 0.367 seconds quicker than Verstappen as teams come to terms with new front wings forced upon them by a rule change for this Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were third and who trails team-mate Oscar Piastri by three points in the championship, was 0.576secs quicker than the Australian in this first Bulls' Liam Lawson was sixth fastest, ahead of the Haas of Briton Oliver Bearman, Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar, Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda and Alpine's Pierre George Russell was 11th, ahead of the Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso. The Spanish veteran was among the pacesetters early on, but dropped back as the session developed and appeared to have a problem with the performance of his engine, judging by radio transmissions between the Spaniard and his engineer. Alonso, who retired in Monaco last Sunday with an engine failure, ended his session about five minutes early as a main talking point of the weekend so far is the new front-wing flexibility test introduced by governing body the FIA, aimed at reducing the amount teams can use flexing wings to control aerodynamic Bull, the prime force behind persuading the FIA to introduce the test, and Ferrari have hopes that the tougher restrictions will boost their competitive hopes. McLaren believe it will have next to no effect on relative have long used front wing flexibility to boost speed on the straights, while retaining downforce in the corners. The idea is that the wing 'backs off' on the straight to reduce drag, before moving back into its maximum downforce-producing position for the under this generation of cars the phenomenon has proved useful in tuning the cars between high and low-speed cornering generations of cars introduced with new rules in 2022, which focus on underbody downforce produced by so-called Venturi tunnels, have proved prone to low-speed understeer - a lack of front grip - and high-speed oversteer - too much front making the front wings become less effective at higher speeds, teams can reduce this nervousness in quick corners without making the cars too hard to drive at low and Mercedes are widely perceived to have been the pioneers of this particular approach, but it remains to be seen whether the tougher tests will have any will be hard to tell at this track for sure, as its combination of medium and high-speed corners should relatively suit Red Bull. It is a circuit with similar characteristics to Suzuka, Jeddah and Imola, where Verstappen was competitive, compared to circuits with a lower average cornering speeds, such as Miami, Monaco and Bahrain.
