Mercedes adjust 'illegal' front wing ahead of Japanese Grand Prix

Mercedes has made an adjustment to the front wing for the Japanese Grand Prix, after speculation in recent days about its legality or otherwise. GPblog understands this.

Through an Italian outlet, it emerged that at the request of several teams, the FIA was looking into the Mercedes car’s front wing, whose flaps allegedly did not close quickly enough. The regulations state that closure must occur within exactly 400 milliseconds.

Rivals claimed to have discovered that within that time span Mercedes’ flaps only close halfway. There would then be another 450 milliseconds to bring the flaps to a neutral position.

That would be beneficial for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, as they would have less to fear from an unstable car. Moreover, the system provides more grip, making it easier to get back on the throttle.

GPblog understands that there has been no “official” investigation by the FIA. Nevertheless, Mercedes has made an adjustment, reportedly in the context of a “reliability issue” that needed to be resolved.

As early as Japan, the front wing flap would fully close within the prescribed time, this website hears.