F1 Team Principals Clash Over Key Spanish GP Rule

F1 team principals are split over a major change to regulations at the Spanish Grand Prix, as stricter front-wing flex tests come into effect for the first time this season. The new rule aims to limit how much the front wings can flex at speed, which many believe has given certain teams a performance edge, referencing the FIA Technical Regulations.

The FIA set Round 9 in Barcelona, scheduled for June 1, as the deadline for all teams to comply.

After the Monaco GP, six key team bosses shared their reactions to this rule change, highlighting both anticipation and uncertainty about the effects on the 2025 F1 grid.

McLaren’s Andrea Stella described the shift from slow circuits like Monaco to Barcelona’s mix of high- and low-speed corners as an important test for teams.

He pointed out that Ferrari had impressive speed through Turns 3, 4, and 12 in past races and expects them to continue competing strongly under the new regulations.

Stella also believes that circuits like Silverstone will reveal even more about how each team adapts, with Red Bull likely gaining from certain track types and McLaren seeing potential advantages at venues like the Canadian GP.

Fred Vasseur of Ferrari said his team has kept the Spanish GP marked on its calendar because of these rule changes. Ferrari has invested time preparing for the new tests, knowing that shifting regulations can disrupt team dynamics.

Vasseur shared that it could change race outcomes, as teams are unsure how the new front-wing rules will impact speed and performance. Their approach is to stay focused on maximizing their car’s potential under the updated standards.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner emphasized that no one yet knows how much the rule will influence the cars, especially in interconnected areas beyond just the front wing. The team has worked to anticipate the effect, but there’s still uncertainty about how tire degradation and overall car balance will respond under the new checks in Barcelona.

Horner acknowledged that the change challenges every team and does not necessarily make development easier.

Mercedes’ Toto Wolff commented on Ferrari’s past conservative approach to flexi-wing design. He suggested that while the change may shift the pecking order, it’s hard to predict any dramatic impact ahead of the race weekend in Spain.

Wolff noted the new rules create a sense of curiosity about which teams will gain or lose ground.

Andy Cowell from Aston Martin reported that his team has already made changes to the front wing to meet regulations and will closely analyze performance during Friday practice sessions. He expects all teams to be watching each other for any significant shifts in competitiveness as a result of the change.

Teams will be quick to compare notes as data becomes available.

Stake’s Jonathan Wheatley said the issue of flexi-wings has been discussed across the paddock for months, with some teams believed to have gained a clear advantage earlier in the year. He predicted that all teams will move quickly to minimize any loss of performance and that qualifying results in Barcelona will provide the first real indicator of winners and losers under the new rule.

Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya is widely regarded as an “aero circuit,” with its challenge heightened by the new mandatory two-stop strategy rule, according to the official Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix page. All eyes are on how these changes will affect the fight at the front, with teams like McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes all looking for any edge.

With so much focus on the impact of the flexi-wing regulation and the Spanish GP set for June 1, the 2025 F1 season is poised for another shake-up as the action heads to one of the most critical races of the season.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.