F1 2025: ‘Tougher’ rear wing deflection tests to be introduced from Chinese Grand Prix

F1 2025: ‘Tougher’ rear wing deflection tests to be introduced from Chinese Grand Prix

A “tougher” new rear wing deflection test will be introduced from the Chinese Grand Prix onwards in the ongoing F1 2025 season, a decision taken following the season-opening race in Australia over the weekend, the FIA announced on Monday.

“As has been previously communicated, between the end of the 2024 season and the start of the 2025 season, the FIA exercised the authority it is granted under Article 3.15.1 of the Technical Regulations to introduce either new or more challenging load-deflection tests for the front wing (from Race 9, Spanish Grand Prix), the upper rear wing, and the beam rear wing,” FIA said in a release.

It was after teams were requested to use cameras to monitor the on-track deformations of their cars during the practice sessions in Melbourne that the FIA analysed this footage and concluded that sufficient grounds exist for a “tougher test” to be introduced on the upper rear wing at the next event in Shanghai, though it was added that all cars that raced in Australia were deemed to be legal.

“Article 3.15.17, introduced in 2025, states that if 75kg of vertical load is applied on either extremity of the rear wing mainplane, the distance between the mainplane and the flap (also known as “slot gap”) must not vary by more than 2mm.

“From the forthcoming Grand Prix in Shanghai, this limit will be reduced to 0.5mm. Due to the short notice for Shanghai only a tolerance of 0.25mm will be added to this new limit. The Teams were informed of this revised test early Monday 17th of March,” the body said.

The Chinese Grand Prix takes place this upcoming weekend from March 21-23.

Published on Mar 17, 2025