McLaren‘s Flexible Wing Sparks Controversy in the F1 Paddock
The 2024 Formula 1 season has been characterized by thrilling racing, intense rivalries, and its fair share of controversy. Among the season’s talking points is McLaren’s innovative, yet contentious, use of flexible aerodynamic components, leading to a war of words between teams and raising eyebrows within the FIA.
Red Bull’s Technical Director, Pierre Waché, is among those who have publicly questioned the legality of McLaren’s wing. He believes the Woking-based team has pushed the boundaries of the regulations too far.
“Development is so challenging that some of the gray areas are very tempting for me as an engineer,” Waché stated in a recent interview. “When you look at the rear wing of the McLaren, I’m sorry, but that’s a bit more of a gray area, but they’ve run it for a few races.”
Waché’s concerns stem from the impact of the flexible wing on race performance, particularly after its use in Azerbaijan. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri secured a significant win in Baku, benefiting immensely from the controversial wing.
“Without [the wing], they wouldn’t have won in Baku, even from our point of view, the Constructors’ Cup would look different,” Waché declared.
The FIA eventually intervened, banning McLaren’s innovative solution after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, as F1 moved to Las Vegas, rival teams, including Red Bull, closely watched McLaren to see if the team had found alternative methods to compensate for the loss of their performance-enhancing wing.
While Waché acknowledges that exploring ambiguous areas within the technical regulations is part and parcel of Formula 1, he believes that McLaren stepped across the line.
“Even as an engineer, you have to respect the rules. However, for technical rules, in contrast to sports, you must prove the legality of your solution,” he explained. “When you have speed cameras between two points, the police only see your speed at those two points, and you can go any speed between them. But the technical rules are different – you have to prove you’re right.”
Waché feels that the onus lies on the FIA to ensure a level playing field, emphasizing that teams like Red Bull are committed to operating within the prescribed regulations.
“Yes, of course, it’s part of the game, but there are certain limits. Just because the police can’t see you doesn’t mean you’re not breaking the law. It’s frustrating for us when police officers don’t do their job,” he remarked pointedly.
This year, the FIA cracked down on various teams suspected of bending the rules, handing out penalties and making changes to the regulations. McLaren’s flexible wing wasn’t the only controversial component under scrutiny; Red Bull faced scrutiny over a ride height adjustment tool, while rumors swirled around potential innovations used by Ferrari and Mercedes involving titanium plates.
Waché believes McLaren’s transgression was particularly egregious, stating outright:
“Yeah, way over the line.” He added, “But it is what it is. You want a level playing field for everyone and we at Red Bull play within those terms. A good idea is a good idea, but when something is out of line, it’s not right.”
The debate sparked by McLaren’s flexible wing highlights the complexities of Formula 1’s technical regulations. While teams are constantly pushing the boundaries to gain a competitive edge, the FIA faces a continuous challenge in maintaining fairness and a level playing field.
* Did the FIA clarify its stance on flexible wings in response to the McLaren controversy?
# McLaren’s Flexible Wing Ignites F1 Controversy
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re delving into the controversial world of F1 wing technology and the debate surrounding McLaren’s innovative, yet contentious, rear wing design. Joining us is Pierre Waché, Technical Director at Red Bull Racing. Welcome, Pierre.
**Pierre Waché:** Thanks for having me.
**Interviewer:** Pierre, let’s get right into it. You’ve been very vocal about concerns regarding McLaren’s flexible wing. What specifically raised red flags for you?
**Pierre Waché:** It’s a tricky situation in F1. We’re always pushing the boundaries, exploring the gray areas within the regulations. But when you look at McLaren’s rear wing, it seemed to go beyond simply pushing boundaries; it felt like they crossed a line [[1](https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-mclaren-rear-wing-trick-flexibility/)].
Think about it, aerodynamic efficiency is crucial, and McLaren openly admitted their initial wing design was inefficient. They had a smaller wing, but it supposedly wasn’t viable. That suggests they were relying on this flexible design for a significant performance advantage. Their win in Baku, for example, surely benefited from that wing [[1](https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-mclaren-rear-wing-trick-flexibility/)].
**Interviewer**: So, you believe the wing offers clear performance benefits that stem from its flexibility, rather than a clever interpretation of the rules?
**Pierre Waché**: Exactly! It’s not just about interpreting the rules – it’s about the nature of the design itself. We saw how effective it was. McLaren themselves acknowledged the inefficiency of their other wing options, highlighting the reliance on this flexible solution.
**Interviewer**: The FIA eventually intervened and banned Mclaren’s wing. But at the time, were other teams considering similar designs? Was there concern that this could become a widespread trend?
**Pierre Waché**: Absolutely. That’s why speaking out was important. We wanted to ensure everyone was playing by the same rules. All teams are constantly innovating and exploring possibilities, but there’s a line between ingenuity and outright bending the rules.
**Interviewer**: Looking ahead, do you think we’ve seen the last of these flexible wing controversies?
**Pierre Waché**: Probably not. Development is a relentless pursuit in F1, and teams will always seek an edge. However, I hope what happened with McLaren serves as a reminder that the FIA needs to be proactive in addressing these gray areas before they become major issues.
**Interviewer**: Pierre Waché, Technical Director at Red Bull Racing, thank you for sharing your perspective. It’s a fascinating debate, and it certainly highlights the complexity and competitive spirit that drives Formula 1.
