F1 teams have ‘dirt’ on Ferrari ‘in the background’ after McLaren rear wing dispute

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F1 championship leaders McLaren became embroiled in controversy at the Singapore Grand Prix last weekend. It all centred on the rear wing they had used for Oscar Piastri’s victory in Azerbaijan.

In the days after the race, footage from the rear-facing camera showed the flaps lifting at either end of Piastri’s wing. This created a ‘mini DRS’ effect.

Red Bull estimated that McLaren gained two-tenths every lap from this trick. The reduction in drag helped Piastri fend off Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc down Baku’s 2km-long straight.

Naturally, McLaren have played down the extent of the advantage. They also pointed out that the wing had passed all the requisite FIA tests.

Flexible wings, or bodywork of any sort, are banned in F1. After a dialogue with the rulemakers, McLaren offered to modify the wing before its next outing, potentially in Las Vegas.

The FIA had come under pressure from the Woking outfit’s rivals, chiefly Red Bull. They took the lead of the constructors’ standings in Baku and now sit 41 points clear with six races remaining.

Ferrari ‘quietly’ facing questions over their own rear wing

The reason Red Bull led the complaints, rather than Ferrari, was that the Scuderia were also under scrutiny. That’s according to Auto Motor und Sport journalist Michael Schmidt.

Schmidt says that there are also legality questions around the rear wing Ferrari used in Azerbaijan. However, these discussions have taken place far more ‘quietly’.

McLaren may naturally have been the focus of ire given their status as the fastest team in F1. In a statement announcing their planned changes, they called for the FIA to turn their attention to other teams.

Ferrari may also make changes to their low-downforce model to avoid a repeat. 75 points behind McLaren, they no longer look like serious contenders to win the title barring a dramatic improvement.

“Ferrari, something ignited there – a bit quieter in the background,” Schmidt said. “They themselves have dirt on them if you look at the Ferrari rear wing in Baku. The gap [in the wing] opens up in other places.”

Lando Norris hints McLaren rivals have complained about more parts alongside rear wing

The arguments around the MCL38 are not yet at an end. Red Bull believe there are further grounds for investigation.

Executive director Helmut Marko has demanded that the FIA examine McLaren’s front wing next. The implication that it’s flexing in an advantageous manner out on track, again while clearing checks off it.

Speaking in the post-race press conference on Sunday, Norris hinted that McLaren had changed multiple parts that had caught the attention of their competitors. The speed of their ascent is bound to raise suspicions.

McLaren were the slowest team on the grid at the start of 2023 but a series of transformative upgrades have made them the class of the field. On current form, they could conceivably dominate until the major rule changes of 2026.