Scuderia Ferrari British driver Lewis Hamilton has strongly criticised the FIA’s newest regulatory replace, describing the brand new entrance wing directive launched on the Spanish Grand Prix as a whole waste of monetary sources. The seven-time world champion expressed deep frustration over the adjustments, which he believes have had little to no impression on efficiency, whereas forcing groups to take a position closely in redesigns.
The Fédération Internationale de l’Vehicle (FIA) just lately applied a technical clampdown on versatile wings, following considerations raised by a number of groups final season. The game’s governing physique launched new load-bearing exams, initially concentrating on rear wings at first of the 2025 season, earlier than extending the necessities to entrance wings at this weekend’s race in Barcelona.
The delay in entrance wing enforcement was meant to supply groups a extra manageable transition and keep away from rapid redesigns that may have added important prices at first of the yr. Nonetheless, Lewis Hamilton expressed clear discontent after testing the up to date elements on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, arguing the revision had yielded no tangible outcomes.
Throughout his post-qualifying media session, Hamilton indicated that though the general stability of the automobile felt barely completely different, the modification had not affected efficiency in any significant method. He claimed that the brand new rules had achieved nothing, but compelled groups to spend substantial sums to conform. In his view, the wings continued to exhibit flexing conduct regardless of the brand new constraints, rendering the train each ineffective and financially burdensome.
Hamilton additional emphasised that it was irritating to witness a lot cash spent on a technical change that, in his phrases, modified nothing. He prompt that the funds used to revamp the wings would have been higher donated to charity. The Mercedes driver additionally commented that it was disappointing to see groups compelled into such pricey developments for no aggressive profit.
Regardless of the controversy, Lewis Hamilton managed a stable qualifying end result, securing fifth place on the grid for Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix. He outqualified his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc for under the second time this season, with the final event occurring throughout the Chinese language Grand Prix earlier within the yr.
Reflecting on his weekend thus far, Lewis Hamilton addressed feedback revamped group radio throughout Friday’s second free observe, the place he described his automobile as “undriveable.” He clarified that the problem had stemmed from an sudden shift in aerodynamic stability brought on by a lack of downforce from the ground, regardless of no main setup adjustments being made. Based on Lewis Hamilton, the group later recognized the issue and managed to right it in a single day, resulting in improved automobile conduct and a extra aggressive exhibiting in qualifying.
Whereas inspired by the restoration, the Briton admitted that the Maranello group nonetheless lacked the uncooked tempo of their frontrunning rivals. He concluded that though the group had made clear progress, extra work could be wanted to constantly problem the likes of McLaren and Crimson Bull in upcoming races.
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