Ferrari questions Mercedes wing
Ferrari has formally raised questions with the FIA over the legality of Mercedes’ front wing after the Australian Grand Prix — a technical protest that could ripple through upcoming races. The push follows tweaks to 2026 energy rules aimed at reviving flat‑out qualifying, with analysts warning the season’s tech changes are reshaping tire and energy strategy. (athlonsports.com) (nytimes.com) (formula1.com)
Ferrari formally asked the FIA for clarification on Mercedes’ W17 front‑wing after the field shared active‑aero designs following the Chinese Grand Prix (Shanghai, March 15, 2026), with the query filed in the paddock on March 24–25 ahead of Suzuka. (grandprixwire.com) Rivals say on‑track video from the Chinese race showed the Mercedes wing adopting a staged transition — a so‑called “two‑phase” operation — rather than a single, continuous movement. (the-race.com) Technical analysts and some outlets reported the observed flap transition appeared to take roughly 800 milliseconds in places, which rivals argue exceeds the FIA’s 400‑millisecond requirement for wing actuation sequencing. (sports.yahoo.com) The FIA has opened a formal line of inquiry and carried out extra technical checks on Mercedes machinery ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, saying it would seek clarifications from teams on their submitted active‑aero concepts. (motorsport.com) Mercedes engineers have already made at least one visible front‑wing modification after discussions with the FIA, with team sources saying changes were fitted before the Suzuka weekend to address the governing body’s concerns. (racingnewstoday.com) The front‑wing scrutiny arrives as F1 implements 2026 energy‑management tweaks intended to restore flat‑out qualifying — the FIA signalled last‑minute qualifying energy changes for Suzuka and technical writers warned those 2026 rule shifts are changing tyre‑preparation and energy‑strategy calculations across the grid. (nytimes.com)
