At the 2022 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, Aston Martin has introduced an aggressive new rear wing that is an alternative interpretation of the rules that were originally intended to get rid of traditional endplates .
The hope was that the 2022 rules would prevent the generation of vortices at the ends that disrupt airflow to cars behind and hamper the ability of chasers to follow closely.
Although concerned that the Aston Martin idea opens a path for development that could make racing worse, rivals say they cannot factor that element into their plans. Instead, they say that if that wing design proves to be a real step forward in performance, they’re likely to question copying it.
Asked by Motorsport.com if there were any concerns about the direction of development that could spoil the 2022 rules target, Alpine sporting director Alan Permane said: “I promise you there are nine other teams that are going to look into that in CFD [computer simulations] right now.
“If it’s faster, you’ll see nine more, I imagine. I don’t see why it wouldn’t happen if it’s totally legal,” he continued. “I understand your point of view about the intention of the regulations, but we just want to go fast and be reliable.”
“It is the FIA and Formula 1 that have to decide if they have broken the intention of the rules. I doubt that anything can be done about it this year, but I am sure that if it works, more will be seen very soon.” Permane assured.
Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekis , meanwhile, added: “If they have asked the FIA and they have been told that it is legal, then everyone will study it, and if it is faster, it will end up in the cars. “.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said: “I guess if it meets the regulations, which is the main thing, it opens up a new avenue which is very interesting, maybe for the first time we will copy something from an Aston Martin and not the other way around, never it’s known”.
The FIA and Formula 1 have commented in the past that if teams came up with designs that undermined the intent of the regulations to improve racing, they would not hesitate to act. One way to do this would be for the Formula 1 Commission, made up of the teams, the international federation itself and the FOM, to vote on a rule change that could be applied with immediate effect.
That would require what is known as a supermajority of 28 votes out of 30 total. However, Aston Martin director Mike Krack indicated that he was not concerned about rule changes being made.
“With the development of a wing or the ideas, you don’t wait until the last moment to show it. We were in contact with the FIA all the time for the development, to understand if it would be legal, and it was, so we said: ‘OK, let’s go for it,'” he explained.
“I think in the end there’s nothing special, it’s an interpretation of the rules. We developed the wing according to that in conjunction with the FIA, that’s all,” Krack continued. “I’m not worried about the supermajority or anything about if the rules are changed, or if those types of designs are allowed, we’ll deal with that.”
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