The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has announced stricter rear wing tests, which will already apply from the second race weekend of the 2025 Formula 1 season in China
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has announced stricter load tests for the front and rear wings of the vehicles for the 2025 Formula One season. However, the world governing body is tightening some of these tests as early as the first race weekend in Australia: stricter rules for the deformation of Formula One rear wings will apply in the future.
Until now, Article 3.15.17 of the Technical Regulations stated: Under a load of 75 kilograms, the distance between the rear wing main profile and the element above it – the so-called slot gap – must not be greater than two millimeters. As early as the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai this weekend, the limit will be lowered to 0.5 millimeters.
However, the governing body of world motorsport has granted a tolerance of 0.25 millimeters for Shanghai. The reason given for this was that the rule change was introduced at very short notice – just a few days before the start of training at the Shanghai International Circuit. The teams were only informed of the change on Monday (March 17).
However, the FIA emphasizes that this step is not due to a breach of the rules in Australia: “We tested all cars in Melbourne in accordance with Article 3.15.17 and all cars passed this test. This means that all cars that were driven in Melbourne were deemed legal.”
So why change the rules then? The world governing body explains it this way: “We asked the teams to use special cameras in free practice that documented the deformation of the wings while driving. We analyzed these recordings.”
“Based on the images and the static load tests in the FIA box, we came to the conclusion that stricter rules for the rear wing are appropriate, and that as early as Shanghai.”
The stricter front wing tests that were announced before the start of the season will not take effect until the ninth race of the season, the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. This adjustment will not be affected by the rear wing changes that have now been presented.