Red Bull point to rivals 'pushing the limits' of legality

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko believes rival teams are “pushing the limits” of what is declared legal regarding a Formula 1 car.

At recent events, McLaren has taken a sizeable step forward with Lando Norris taking his first career victory at the Miami Grand Prix.

Mercedes has also improved of late, with Mercedes taking pole position and a podium in Canada last time out through George Russell. 

Marko has raised a suggestion as to where the progress is coming from, suggesting that flexing front wings are behind the improved pace. 

"Mercedes has definitely made progress, especially in terms of top speed, as has McLaren,” Marko told Kleine Zeitung. 

“You can only achieve this top speed if the wings are aerodynamically deformed. 

“It seems that Mercedes and McLaren have a front wing that complies with the regulations because it passed the technical inspection. But at race speed it deforms considerably more than the regulations require.”

Marko confident over car legality

A flexible wing is nothing new to F1, with the wing itself flexing at high speeds due to the load from the wind before returning to its former positions for more downforce through corners.

Despite the concerns, Marko does not believe the McLaren and Mercedes challengers are operating illegally.

“It's certainly not illegal, it's just pushing the limits,” he said. 

“It's an eternal competition between the teams and the FIA."