Lewis Hamilton fears that stricter controls on flexi-wings – to be implemented from the race weekend in Barcelona – will negatively impact the drivability of the cars. The world champion even labels the flexible wings as a ‘band-aid for poorly designed technical regulations’. Whether his former team boss Toto Wolff is right in saying that Ferrari in particular will benefit from the stricter controls, Hamilton is not yet sure.
Formula 1 has arrived in Barcelona, where the FIA will start stricter controls on the use of flexi-wings from this weekend. McLaren, in particular, was suspected of using the controversial wing. Although Lewis Hamilton does not deny that the stricter controls could bring the teams closer together, the Brit is also afraid that the cars will become more difficult to drive.
“To be honest, I don’t know why this has happened,” Hamilton tells the assembled media in Spain. “The flexi-wings were still a positive thing when they were introduced. Some teams adapted quickly, others very slowly. But overall, it was positive. When I was still at Mercedes and we got the part around this time last year, it was positive for us. Some had it earlier, others later. It made this generation of cars much more pleasant to drive. So it’s going in the wrong direction, that’s for sure.”Hamilton admits he is curious about the impact of stricter controls, as the flexible wings previously helped to reduce the inherent understeer of the car at low speeds. “Ultimately, the flexible wings were a band-aid for poorly designed technical regulations, I would say,” continues the seven-time world champion. “It will be interesting to see how the stricter controls affect different teams. Some teams have more flex than others, performed better than others, so I really have no idea what effect that has on all of us.”
Most Gain for Ferrari?
Hamilton’s former team boss Toto Wolff dared to make a small prediction earlier. According to the Austrian, Ferrari probably has the most to gain from the new technical guidelines. The Scuderia would, according to the Austrian, have the most ‘conservative’ flexible wings on their SF-25. “I don’t know where it comes from, I don’t know what gives him that impression,” Hamilton responds to Wolff’s analysis. “I mean, I hope he’s right. But I have no idea who is and who is not affected.”
