Red Bull's supremacy in Formula 1 came to a screeching halt in Miami last season, leaving fans and even the team itself perplexed by the sudden shift in power. This shock reversal wasn't just about McLaren's upgraded MCL38—it revealed a design war over flexible wings that would redefine the championship fight and expose Red Bull's vulnerabilities.
For the first time since the start of the ground effects era, Red Bull's once untouchable advantage has been eroded, revealing the crucial role of front wing flexibility in balancing low-level grip speed and stability at high speeds. Here's a deep dive into what happened—and why the flexwing saga could shape F1's future.
How McLaren's flexible wing masterstroke changed everything
Flex wings—front wings designed to flex under aerodynamic loading—have been the unexpected disruptor of 2024. These designs have allowed teams like McLaren and Mercedes to find the perfect balance between low-speed understeer and oversteer at high speeds, a problem which had plagued teams under current regulations.
For McLaren, this wasn't just an incremental improvement. The flexible wing has revolutionized the behavior of their car across different speed rangesallowing them to use stiffer suspensions without compromising aerodynamic balance. The result? McLaren took a leap forward from a distant contender to the team to beat, overturning Red Bull's previous dominance with the RB20.
Red Bull missed opportunity: Waiting for clarity from the FIA
While McLaren and Mercedes adopted the flexible wing evolution, Red Bull found itself in limbo. Pierre Wache, Red Bull's technical director, admitted the team had been caught off guard by how effectively their rivals were deploying the concept.
“We benefited from a different approach for two years,” explained Wache. “The others introduced flexible wings, which allowed them to rebalance the car and outperform us. »
Stuck between a strict budget cap and uncertainty over the FIA's stance on the legality of flexible wings, Red Bull hesitated. Teaming up with Ferrari, they pressed the FIA to investigate, questioning whether these designs were pushing the regulations too far. Yet the FIA found no violations of the regulations, leaving Red Bull in the dark as McLaren and Mercedes pulled ahead.
Ferrari and McLaren's bold gamble pays off
While Red Bull played it safe, McLaren and Ferrari bet big on the development of flexible wings. Ferrari introduced updates late in the season—mostly in Singapore and Austin—while McLaren had already perfected the concept earlier. McLaren boss Andrea Stella has admitted that focusing on aerodynamic elasticity was the deciding factor.
“What makes the difference is what you focus on,” Stella said. “We realized that aeroelasticity had untapped potential, and we went all out. »
The bet paid off. Ferrari finished the season with momentum, and McLaren became the team to beat, leaving Red Bull still adjusting.
-The FIA's position: No rule changes, but a new battlefield emerges
The FIA, led by Nikolas Tombazis, ultimately decided not to impose stricter regulations on flexible wings for 2025. The governing body acknowledged that although these designs push the limits, they remain within the acceptable flexibility range.
“In an ideal world, we would push for more rigid designs,” Tombazis explained. “But these rules have been in place since 2022, and making impulsive changes would be unfair. »
The FIA's decision effectively gave teams the green light to fully exploit flexible wing designs in 2025, setting the stage for an arms race among the top teams.
Red Bull's winter rebuild: Can the RB21 bounce back?
With the reinstatement of the cost cap for 2025, Red Bull had the opportunity to invest resources in developing its own flexi-wing solution. Wache hinted that their goal is to maximize the flexi-wing's ability to widen the car's balance window, a critical area where McLaren had an advantage.
“Visible difference is not what I’m looking for,” Wache said. “I’m looking for a bigger window of balance. »
Ferrari, meanwhile, has already laid the groundwork with late-season improvements. McLaren, encouraged by its success, will not fail to push even further. With the margins between the top teams razor thin, even minor gains in flexi-wing efficiency could prove decisive.
What comes next? A high-stakes battle for supremacy
The 2025 season will be defined by how Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren exploit flexi-wings. McLaren's success has shown that focusing on aerodynamic elasticity can pay huge dividends, while Ferrari's late season form suggests they are ready to challenge for the title.
Red Bull's response will be crucial. After a winter of readjustment, their ability to regain dominance relies on closing the gap in terms of flexi-wing. With every team now aware of the concept's potential, the fight for supremacy in 2025 could be the most intense in recent F1 history.
