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Mercedes was instructed by the FIA to modify its front wing after it was deemed illegal on Thursday during a technical directive.
The FIA discovered a problem with a reworked, shorter endplate that it introduced for the Chinese Grand Prix weekend. The endplate opened up visibility to the uppermost element in an attempt to increase the amount of outwash created.
However, Article 3.3.6 of the technical regulations reads: "Once the front wing profiles have been defined, they must be trimmed by the virtual endplate surface defined in Article 3.3.5, and the portion of the front wing profiles outboard of that surface must be discarded".
The aforementioned Article 3.3.5 relates to the new front wing measurements introduced in 2019, as part of a new set of aerodynamic regulations that target reducing the overall downforce produced.
An expansion on Article 3.3.5 states that the endplate must "fully enclose a minimum of 95% of the virtual endplate surface", which does allow a little room for minute cut-outs.
Mercedes responded to the FIA's request of modifying the wing, and shaved off the corner of the uppermost trailing edge in an effort to display that none of the profile remains exposed.
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (2)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
And most importantly it was meant to reduce the outwash created by the cars, which in turn hinders following cars from getting close up. Mind, this is unlikely to impact Merc' performance negatively.
Distortion01
Posts: 2
LoL...So true. Meanwhile behind the scenes... here's an extra liter of oil for your super engine mode to burn and we are placing extra speed sensors shaped like tennis rackets on the Ferrari's to help us understand their underhanded speed advantage.