Red Bull Racing and Ferrari will be able to use their controversial front wings at Spa, but face new tests ahead of the Italian Grand Prix.
Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has admitted that his engineers may have to make changes to the RB6 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix after the
FIA revealed that it was to introduce new tests for flexibility in the floor of F1 cars, but they would only be minor if required at all.
Despite the belief that both the RB6 and Ferrari's F10 had front wings that flexed beyond the limits imposed by the regulations, both cars were given a clean bill of health by the scrutineers ahead of the Belgian round after being subjected to new load tests after Friday practice. Horner confirmed that there had been no need for RBR to cram a reworking of its wing into the short amount of working time allowed during the summer break, but conceded that the floor may need to be looked at ahead of proposed - but as yet unconfirmed - tests scheduled for Monza.
“We're totally happy that our car complies," Horner told the
BBC on the subject of the RB6's front wing, "The
FIA have had concerns that have been raised to them, and they've raised the tests, but we're confident that our car complies.
"It has complied with the rules at every race so far and it will comply here. We take all the talk about our car as a compliment - it shows the others don't know what we're up to."
As for the new floor test, and new rules limiting the number of 'breaks or joins' that will be allowed in the floor section from Monza onwards, Horner accepted that the team may need to make some changes, although the RB6 passed the floor tests used at Spa.
“I think it will affect us only as much as any other team," he said, "I don't think it will have any significant impact upon us. We're confident that we will comply with any tests that are required."
Germany's
Auto Motor und Sport believes that the new floor test will see loads over the current 200kg being applied at multiple locations on the floor, rather than just at the front. It could also affect the skid blocks under the car, which are not permitted to flex.
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said the existing floor tests involved applying 200 kilograms to the front of the floor, allowing flexibility of no more than 5mm.
"I haven't had a chance to look at the regulation in detail, but I don't think it poses us any major concerns,” Horner repeated.
