by Red Bull has heavily criticized the FIA for inconsistencies in enforcing its regulations and called for clearer interpretations and more accurate measurement methods.
Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko expressed frustration with recent developments, particularly regarding the controversial use of flexible front wings, which Red Bull believes has not been adequately taken into account by the FIA.
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Marko’s plea for more consistency comes as Red Bull prepares for a crucial update United States Grand Prix in Austinwith the goal of saving their season.
It came before too Red Bull was forced to change its car ahead of this weekend’s event due to what the FIA described as a “strictly prohibited” device that Red Bull admitted existed on its cars.
But the focus quickly shifted to the ongoing debate over aerodynamic components, and Marko urged the FIA to tighten its testing procedures.
Flexi-Wing controversy
Marko’s call for the FIA to improve its testing and enforcement comes as the use of flexible aerodynamics remains a gray area in the sport.
Active aerodynamic components are not due to be fully legalized until 2026, but the current lack of clarity has led to frustration among teams, including Red Bull, who question the fairness of the current rules.
“There needs to be a clearer interpretation from the FIA,” Marko told Motorsport-Magazin.com.
“It may not be the case that you pass the test, but then camera footage proves that something completely different is happening during the race.”
“They just need to find better ways to measure it.”
The controversy revolves around the flexible front wings, as seen on the competitor McLaren and Mercedes cars.
Although these components have passed FIA testing, their behavior on the track has caused a stir, with visible changes during races suggesting that teams are exploiting aerodynamic gray areas.
Despite Red Bull’s frustration, Marko confirmed that the team will not implement similar designs for the remainder of the 2024 season.
“I don’t think we can achieve that this year,” said Marko, referring to the flexible wings.
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