FIA to make major mid-season regulation change after McLaren controversy as 'clampdown' confirmed

Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, will reportedly make a regulation change during the 2025 season.

During the 2024 season, front wing flexibility was a major talking point in the paddock.

A flexi front wing has been designed to allow teams to balance their cars better and it can also help combat low-speed understeer and high-speed oversteer.

McLaren were at the centre of attention after Red Bull and Ferrari both made complaints over the legality of their front wing.

In the end, McLaren were actually forced to make adjustments to their rear wing but the front wing was considered legal by the FIA.

McLaren went on to clinch the constructors' title, beating Ferrari and Red Bull to the crown.

However, heading into the 2025 season, there is set to be less room to push the regulations.

As reported by Italian news outlet Autoracer, the FIA issued a draft technical directive that outlines tougher flexi wing tests, which will be conducted in the team garages.

A report from The Race stated that although the loads being used to test the wing remain the same, the amount of flex that will be allowed is much less.

The report stated: "Article 3.15.4 of F1’s technical regulations states that under the current load tests, the area of focus across both wings must not flex by any more than 15mm. It is understood that part of the latest clarification involves this allowance being reduced to 10mm."

A source told the publication: "I will be surprised if anyone will be able to play around with flexi wing designs as much as they were before."

The 2025 Formula 1 season will begin in March. Image: Getty

It has been suggested that the original plan was for the front wing clampdown to begin at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May but has now been pushed back to the Spanish Grand Prix, which is set to be held in June.

Last year, Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur was asked whether the flexi wing debate was a defining moment in 2024.

He replied: "I think so. I'm a bit frustrated with this, because it was clear performance, and we waited two months for the decision on if it's legal or not.

"Plus you have always to keep in mind the cost cap. It means that you have to be efficient with the budget, so if you start to do a development and at the end it's a no-go, then you burn €600,000.

"And if you burn half a million for nothing, then you can't spend it somewhere else. For me, it was more than on the edge, the [wings] story."