Red Bull and Ferrari seeking FIA talks over crucial F1 issue

Red Bull boss Christian Horner and his Ferrari counterpart Frederic Vasseur are seeking talks with the FIA over the use of flexi-wings in F1. 

The wings of McLaren and Mercedes in particular have drawn attention over recent races for apparently flexing more than the spirit of the regulations allow, but each have passed the standard FIA load-bearing tests. 

At the recent Belgian Grand Prix, cameras were used by the FIA during practice to monitor flexing.

Wings will always flex to create more downforce as they are loaded with the forces of a grand prix car, with certain tolerances built in, but Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko wants to see greater investigation into the McLaren and Mercedes designs.

When the topic of flexi-wings was put to Horner after the Italian Grand Prix, Horner put the ball back in the FIA's court.

"I think the regulations are very clear, and I think that is an FIA issue," he told media including RacingNews365.

"Obviously, it is their tests that they passed, but then you have to look at the wording of the regulations.

"If you look back to 2021, certainly around Baku time, there was a change to the front-wing regulations - and even though our wings passed the test, it was exploiting air elasticity. 

"It is an FIA issue, we'll leave it and trust in them to deal with it, but if it is acceptable, then you have to join it."

Vasseur keeping cards close

Ferrari chief Vasseur was also pressed on the matter of flexi-wings after winning the Italian GP through Charles Leclerc, but kept his cards close to his chest.

"That is a discussion I don't want to have with you," he replied when asked. 

"I will have it with [FIA single-seater director] Nikolas Tombazis, but we have to respect the decision of the FIA, but we will deal with it internally with the FIA.