How F1 Teams Revamped Front Wings for Spanish GP Flexi-Wing Tests

Formula 1 teams arrived at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona with new front wing designs to comply with updated FIA tests on flexing components. The governing body introduced tougher load tests for round nine of the 2025 season, aiming to reduce the amount the front wings move under pressure.

The FIA now applies a 1000N load to either side of the front wing, allowing only 10mm of deflection compared with the previous limit of 15mm. This change has prompted teams to reinforce their front wings, and while many updates are structural, several cars feature visible adjustments to meet the new standards.

Ferrari made changes to its SF-25 by tweaking the distribution across the wing elements and making minor geometry changes. These modifications are paired with updated endplates to increase the structure’s rigidity.

Red Bull also responded, updating all four elements of its front wing to improve stiffness without adding much weight. Its technical notes before the Spanish round highlighted tweaks to the wing geometry to maximize strength while chasing the desired load characteristics.

McLaren and Mercedes went in a similar direction, preparing upgraded front wings at the previous race in Imola. McLaren tested its new wing in practice but has not yet used it in competition. More on McLaren’s recent developments can be found.

Aston Martin kept its wing elements unchanged but strengthened the wing’s frame, revising the tips and outboard areas for better overall performance. Alpine’s front wing met the updated rules without requiring any outward changes, indicating that a structural reinforcement or an earlier update satisfied the stricter flex tests.

Haas confirmed its changes were strictly structural, with team boss Ayao Komatsu pointing out the American squad had not been benefiting from flexi-wing designs to the same extent as some rivals. Racing Bulls, formerly AlphaTauri, rolled out an entirely new nose and front wing assembly, lowering the central section and introducing a drooped nose to deliver airflow more cleanly under the car.

The elements have been reworked to comply with the new tests and to generate more load toward the center. Williams introduced updates that affected the rearward flap of the front wing and endplate shape, refining airflow around the brake ducts and the front floor area.

Sauber also adjusted its front wing endplates for better aerodynamic integration. Alongside the front wing modifications, Ferrari brought a revised high-downforce rear wing, carrying over ideas from 2024.

Mercedes added a new rear wing with increased camber plus changes to the floor edge and inner fence, aiming for more underbody downforce. Alpine and Sauber both introduced wider floor updates, while Williams rolled out rare tweaks to its rear brake ducts, focusing on Barcelona’s unique layout.

Sauber reshaped its sidepods to mesh with the floor changes it brought to previous rounds. The FIA’s crackdown follows the use of cameras and analysis during the 2024 season, which found that current checks allowed too much flexibility.

Initially planned for earlier in the year, the stricter tests were moved to Spain so teams could redesign their components without extra waste or cost. The updated technical directive also cut allowed deflection for front wing flaps, lowering it from 5mm to 3mm under a 6kg load, while maximum movement for asymmetric loads is set at 15mm.

Officials will check wings regularly throughout the season, often during parc fermé, which takes place during qualifying and before the race. Inspection ensures that no final modifications occur, locking cars into compliance before they hit the track.

The new rules around front wing flexibility are already making an impact on car design strategies at the top level of motorsport. Teams are now racing to balance structural stiffness with the pursuit of aerodynamic performance, with further updates expected as the season progresses.

All eyes are on how the changes affect the balance of power during the remainder of the F1 calendar. The ongoing tension and rivalry between teams like Mercedes and Ferrari will add another layer of intrigue to the evolving competitive landscape, as detailed in this Hamilton-Ferrari rift analysis.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.