Autosportfoto

Red Bull alters F1 front wing after flexing intrigue from rivals

Red Bull has made modifications to its front wing to help avoid it flexing, after its behaviour prompted intrigue from rival Formula 1 teams at the British Grand Prix.

The way in which the lower section of Red Bull's front wing appeared to flap down at high speed at Silverstone caught the attention of its rivals, amid fears it could prompt another arms race with regards to flexible bodywork.

It is understood the FIA had been alerted about the matter by Red Bull's rivals, but it is not clear whether a request for the wing to be modified was made.

As Giorgio Piola's exclusive photo (above) shows, the Red Bull appeared in public at the Hungaroring on Thursday with a fastener attached between the endplate and the upper flaps.

This fastener will help prevent the wing flexing down at high speed, and stop any of the behaviour that rivals teams had been looking it.

It is unclear how much performance the flexing wing might have provided, but Red Bull retains hopes of a step in Budapest thanks to a major update it has brought to the Hungaroring.

Daniel Ricciardo said the changes were unlikely to transform the RB13, but it should deliver improved form on a track that will better suit the car.

"Basically it's just big aero updates," said the Australian.

"When I say big, does big mean it's a second of lap time? Probably not, but big in terms of different kind of shaping and philosophy to what we've run so far.

"Bits are in different places - there's a bit on the front wing, but then there's a bit with sidepods.

"It's all aero stuff, but hopefully it all works together and gives us the laptime we desire. It's a combination of things.

"In the windtunnel it looks like it should help downforce and hopefully that gives us the laptime."

Zdroj: autosport.com