It would seem somewhat impossible to believe that the FIA could make their lives any more difficult, or actually confuse teams even more than they already have done this season; however, that’s exactly what they’ve done to Mercedes at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
Given the current ‘Cashgate’ scandal and the anger generated by the handling of the recent Japanese Grand Prix, nobody would like to work for the FIA right now, given that they perhaps have more on their plate than ever before.
That plate has had another portion added to it at the Circuit of the Americas, with Mercedes being reportedly furious with the governing body.
Mercedes were one of a few teams to bring upgrades to this weekend’s race in Austin, with the Silver Arrows having installed their final aero upgrade of their disastrous season.
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A part of the upgrade has caused some unhappiness in the paddock, though, with their new front-wing separators having been deemed illegal by the FIA.
Supposedly, the FIA actually gave the team their approval to design the new front-wing, after asking the governing body if what they were planning was legal.
According to GPblog, the Germans sent the FIA Computer Aided Design data to see if they’d approve the parts before the team spent money on developing them.
Despite initially approving it, the FIA have now told Mercedes that the new front-wing doesn’t comply with the regulations, meaning the team has had to replace the front-wing.
Mercedes are understandably furious with the FIA, especially at a time when teams are having to plan their spending incredibly precisely to not exceed the cost cap.
Ahead of their initial use on Friday, Mercedes’ head of trackside engineering Andrew Shovlin explained the purpose of the new front-wing.
“The modifications reduce the downforce at the front wing tip, improve the flow to the front brake ducts, which in turn improves the management of turbulence around the wing,” said Mercedes’ chief race engineer Andrew Shovlin.
Since the FIA’s U-turn on the Silver Arrows’ front-wing upgrade, Sky Sports journalist Ted Kravitz has explained why Mercedes’ front-wing isn’t “allowed”, but also how the Germans have tried to get around the matter.
“So what you’re allowed to do with the wings, you’re allowed to have these slot gap separators,” Kravitz said on Sky Sports F1.
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“That’s to actually separate the front wing flaps and to make sure they all stay together and have a consistent slot gap. You’re allowed as many of them as you need on the front wing.
“Now what you’re not allowed is any of the old front wing furniture that used to direct air flow in any direction you wanted to put it. You’re not allowed any of those bits now.
“What Mercedes have done with their new front wing is said, ‘aha, but look these are just front wing slot gap separators, your honour. They’re in no way designed to capture air and push it outboard around the front tyre and back towards the side. It just looks like they are.’
“So I think that’s where the questions from the other teams have come. The other teams have said, ‘okay look, I know what you’re saying. You’re saying that these are basically slot gap separators. But clearly they’re slot gap separators which are masquerading as air flow conditioners around the front to create an outwash.’ Well it’s obvious what they want the air to do.”