Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has criticized the FIA for its handling of the ‘flexi-wings’ issue. The Austrian does not understand why the governing body will only start testing the flexibility of the front wings from the Spanish Grand Prix onwards. However, Marko is pleased that the FIA is going to enforce stricter controls, as the banning of flexible wings could potentially work in favor of Max Verstappen.
In early February, the FIA announced that the controversial ‘flexi-wings’ will be definitively banned in Formula 1. The new regulations prescribe stricter requirements for the mobility of both the rear and front wings. During the Grand Prix weekend in Spain, additional tests will be conducted to limit the flexibility of the front wings.
Red Bull advisor Marko believes that these stricter rules could potentially work in favor of his star driver Max Verstappen. “It will certainly work in Max’s favor, as no one else can handle a difficult car as well as he can,” the 81-year-old Austrian explained to Auto, Motor und Sport.
Grey Areas
The advisor, however, finds it unacceptable that the FIA will only start checking in Spain. The Spanish race weekend is not until June, which theoretically allows teams to benefit from a flexible front wing for eight race weekends.
“Every team, except the smaller ones, has built a wing that bends. It’s outrageous that everyone has to discard this halfway through the season,” Marko believes. “The new rule should either take effect immediately or not at all. The FIA should also realize by now that rules need to be set up in such a way that there are no more grey areas.”
