Formula 1 has its first excitement theme a few days before the start of the new season. McLaren and Ferrari, who have found a way in the eyes of Red Bull, are responsible to trick the new regulations. Technical director Pierre Wache is convinced that there will be an aftermath.
The regulations for the 2025 Formula 1 season were only changed by the FIA compared to the previous year in a few points. The greatest effects sometimes have the new regulations for the wings. These can now only open minimally when the DRS is closed.
The so-called “mini-drs effect” should actually be a thing of the past. According to Pierre Wache, it still exists.
Do Ferrari and McLaren break the Formula 1 rules?
The Red Bull technology chief and his team took a close look at the test drives in Bahrain. They saw: McLaren and Ferrari continue to generate a “mini-drs effect” with their wings-and possibly break the rules.
“It continues to be done. I think that Ferrari and McLaren still use these mini-drs things,” Wache told the race. When asked whether he believes that the wings of the two teams will be an issue, especially at the beginning of the season, the RB engineer said: “It will be, because it is pretty striking.”
Formula 1 teams complain about McLaren
As a reminder: McLaren had started the mini-drs discussion in 2024 when the team in Baku suddenly presented a rear wing, in which the small DRS flaps also open slightly outside of a DRS zone. This gave the team a small, but noticeable speed advantage.
The other teams, on the other hand, successfully went to the barricades and forced a regular adjustment for the 2025 season. In Bahrain, however, it was recognized by on board recordings that some wings are still very bending.
F1 team boss wants to continue watching the matter
A team boss, especially not mentioned, said on “The Race” request: “On the videos we viewed, some of the rear wings look very flexible. This is something that we can take a very precise eye on.”
The FIA will also do that when the new season starts in Melbourne in a few days. Then the cars must withstand an intensive exam for the first time, after which it will be clear whether McLaren and Ferrari have tricked the new regulations on legal or illegal path.