“The issue was solved…until now”: Red Bull brings up debate over Mercedes’ “flexible wing” advantage at the Sao Paolo Grand Prix

Red Bull once again complain over rear wing issues, with the team claiming that Mercedes is not following the FIA regulations. 

Rear wing advantages have been the subject of discussion between the two teams all season long. It was first brought to light by Mercedes, who complained about the amount of flexibility in the rear wing of the RB16B.

This led to the FIA issuing new regulations that instructed all teams to ‘firm up’ their wings. A lot of teams were not with this verdict. The entire issue seemed to be resolved until the Milton-Keynes based team brought it up in Brazil again.

Lewis Hamilton dominated the qualifying session in Sao Paolo on Friday. However, FIA’s lead technical director Jo Bauer had questions regarding the Briton’s DRS. They launched an investigation regarding the same but are yet to make a decision.

Lewis Hamilton has been summoned to the stewards over DRS technical infringement #BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 https://t.co/DNTsxZVLwD

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 12, 2021

However, according to Auto Motor und Sport, Red Bull raised their concerns regarding Mercedes’ rear wings before Hamilton was summoned to the stewards.

Also read: Lewis Hamilton finally tells us what he really feels about being frequently booed

Mercedes are allegedly using the very same rear wings they complained about

Red Bull was looking for a reason as to why Mercedes cars were outperforming them in the second half of the season. Red Bull thinks that the Brackley-based team is using the same “flexi-wings” that they complained about at the start of the season.

According to AMuS: ‘The top speed disadvantage has been driving Red Bull since the summer break. There were new theories as to why the Silver Arrows fly away from the RB16B on the straights. Now Red Bull believes it has finally found what it is looking for.’

Aside from the Lewis Hamilton DRS infringement investigation, the row between Red Bull and Mercedes over the flexi-wings is bubbling away again…#F1

— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) November 12, 2021

‘According to Red Bull, the rear wing flap of the Mercedes folds backwards from a speed of 260 km/h. Red Bull technical director Adrian Newey ‘went into the FIA office with evidence supporting this fact.’

They do not have to take the trouble of lodging an official protest anymore. Hamilton’s car is already under investigation for DRS issues. FIA will announce their decision of the Mercedes car on Saturday ahead of F1’s 3rd Sprint race of the year.