The FIA has officially dismissed allegations from Red Bull and Ferrari regarding McLaren and Mercedes’ front wings following the Italian Grand Prix. Both teams had accused their rivals of using illegal, overly flexible front wings that could provide an unfair advantage. However, after a thorough investigation, the FIA confirmed that all components in question comply with the 2024 regulations.
In a statement, the FIA clarified, “We have conducted extensive tests on the front wings of McLaren and Mercedes, and the results show that they meet all current regulatory standards. The design and behavior of the wings are within legal limits, and no further action is necessary.” The governing body emphasized its confidence in the current testing methods and reiterated that no rule changes would be implemented for the remainder of the 2024 season.
The controversy emerged after Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur publicly voiced concerns regarding the flexibility of the front wings used by McLaren and Mercedes. While Red Bull and Ferrari did not formally lodge an official protest, their public statements led to widespread speculation about potential rule breaches.
Christian Horner responded to the ruling by stating, “We respect the FIA’s decision, but it’s important that regulations are interpreted consistently. While the wings passed the tests, we believe there should be further clarification on the wording of the regulations.” Helmut Marko echoed these concerns, adding, “We remain vigilant and will continue to monitor developments.”
Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur remained reserved, stating, “We will address these issues internally with the FIA and avoid any further public discussion.”
The FIA confirmed that it has been monitoring front wing behavior closely throughout the season, using additional cameras since the Belgian Grand Prix to capture detailed data. “We have acquired sufficient data to ensure fair competition, and we will continue to use advanced monitoring tools to guarantee compliance,” the FIA spokesperson added.
As the season progresses, this decision puts an end to the latest technical dispute in Formula 1, highlighting the sport’s ongoing challenges in balancing cutting-edge technology with regulatory fairness.