Fred Vasseur Reveals Key F1 Factor Over Flexi-Wings

Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur says understanding Pirelli tires has become a bigger factor for Formula 1 teams than the use of flexi-wings. He shared his thoughts after the FIA put stronger tests on front-wing flexibility for the Spanish Grand Prix.

McLaren was expected to be hit the hardest by these new checks, but the team still managed to dominate the weekend. McLaren drivers finished first and second, led every session, and set a fastest lap more than a second quicker than Max Verstappen in his Red Bull.

Vasseur had mentioned before the Spanish race that the flexi-wing ruling could prove to be a game-changer for the field. However, after seeing the effects, he said that while the stricter rules did bring some small changes, the main difference comes from how teams use the Pirelli tires.

He pointed out that even a minor shift in lap times can completely shake up the grid, but getting the most out of the tires and compounds makes the biggest difference each weekend. He explained that Monaco is not a good reference point because it is unusual among F1 tracks.

Looking back at the Spanish Grand Prix, Vasseur highlighted how Ferrari kept a steady pace and finished five seconds behind Lando Norris on lap 40. He compared this to earlier races such as Miami, where Ferrari finished a lap down, to show how much progress the team has made.

While the new wing regulations are part of the story, Vasseur said that unlocking tire performance remains the real challenge for every team. Scoring in Formula 1 is tight at the top, with McLaren leading the constructors’ standings at 362 points after the Spanish race.

Ferrari follows with 165 points, then Mercedes with 159. In the driver standings, Oscar Piastri leads with 186 points, with teammate Lando Norris just behind at 176, and Max Verstappen of Red Bull on 137.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc round out the top five among drivers. The race calendar moves next to Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on June 15.

After that, the teams will race in Austria on June 29, take on Silverstone for the British Grand Prix on July 6, then visit Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on July 27 and Budapest’s Hungaroring on August 3. Each of these tracks brings its own challenge—especially in terms of tires and setup.

F1 fans are also talking about recent on-track clashes, like the incident between Max Verstappen and George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. Meanwhile, discussions continue about Lewis Hamilton’s pace and the tight battles in the middle and back of the grid.

The Spanish round also sparked debate about how much the new rules will shift the balance through the rest of the season. Vasseur’s comments make it clear that while small technical changes can have an impact, knowing how to manage F1’s tire compounds is what separates the front runners from the rest.

As the season continues, teams will keep working to decode Pirelli’s secrets in search of the perfect race performance.