Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko disagrees with the FIA’s decision to allow McLaren to use their controversial rear wing. The British racing team must modify their rear wing, but according to Marko, McLaren’s ‘mini-DRS’ is not a grey area open for discussion.
The flexible rear wing of the McLarens has been a topic of discussion in the Formula 1 paddock for some time. It was particularly noticeable during the Grand Prix in Baku, as footage showed the top element rising to create a slot opening at high speeds on the straights.
The FIA instructed McLaren on the Friday of the Singapore GP to make adjustments to the rear wing, but the British racing team is still allowed to use the rear wing. According to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, the FIA’s judgment does not go far enough.
Controversy Surrounding McLaren’s Rear Wing
“The rules tell us that the wing should not be built in such a way that it can bend while driving. The inspection is one thing, they have passed that, but what happens in the race is another story,” says Marko to Sky Germany. “There is no gray area. It is precisely stated (in the rules) that the wing should not change aerodynamically while driving, so either you use a different test method, or you change the rules, or you ban this wing.”
No Disqualification for McLaren
Despite the many controversies over McLaren’s rear wing in Baku, the FIA has not considered removing the British team from the results list at any moment. “The McLaren wing passed all tests and met everything stated in the technical guidelines,” explains FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis. “In Baku, the sun was in a certain direction, which made this phenomenon more prominent: this was not the case in Monza or Spa, and nobody had noticed. If someone had come to us in Monza or Spa, we would have taken action earlier.”
