BREAKING:Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur says flexi-wing rule changes at Spanish GP could be… read more
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has suggested that upcoming changes to the front wing regulations, which will be enforced starting with the Spanish Grand Prix, could significantly alter the competitive landscape in Formula 1. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 from Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello, Vasseur discussed the implications of the new flexi-wing rules and how they might impact team performance as the season progresses.
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Formula 1’s governing body, issued a technical directive earlier this year outlining stricter tests for front wing flexibility. These new standards are set to be applied at the Spanish Grand Prix, scheduled for May 30 to June 1, marking the ninth round of the championship. The intention behind the change is to close loopholes that some teams may have been exploiting by designing wings that flex beyond legal limits to gain aerodynamic advantages.
Vasseur emphasized that while most teams, including Ferrari, are expected to bring upgrade packages to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix — the first race of the European leg of the season — the regulatory changes arriving in Spain could have a more profound effect on performance across the grid. “We are at a point where it’s difficult to make a significant upgrade to the car because, after four years with the same set of technical regulations, the competition is now largely about fine-tuning small details,” Vasseur said.
Ferrari’s season so far has been underwhelming. The team currently trails McLaren by 152 points in the Constructors’ Championship standings after only six rounds. This deficit has put pressure on the Italian team to find improvements quickly, especially as the European races often set the tone for the remainder of the campaign.
Vasseur noted that the changes to the front wing regulations could alter the pecking order, as teams will need to adapt their designs to comply with the new rules. This, he believes, may expose weaknesses in some cars while leveling the playing field for others. “The biggest shift might come in Spain,” he explained, “because there we have a tangible regulatory change with an entirely new front wing specification. This has the potential to reshape the competitive picture.”
However, Vasseur was cautious about overstating the impact, clarifying that while the rule change might influence immediate race performance, it is unlikely to drastically alter the championship standings overnight. “It could be a reset in terms of pure performance for some teams, but not a reset for the championship as a whole,” he said. “The driver who leads the standings going into Spain will likely still be ahead after the race, but how teams perform on-track could change significantly.”
Overall, Vasseur’s comments underline the importance of the upcoming regulatory shift and suggest that the Spanish Grand Prix could be a turning point in the season, especially for teams like Ferrari that are seeking a way to close the gap on the frontrunners.
