Vasseur: New front wing test in Spain could be 'game-changer'

The FIA is enforcing tougher testing on front wings at the Spanish Grand Prix, and many in the paddock believe it could alter the competitive balance.

"I think Barcelona is on the calendar of everybody in the paddock with the new regulation for the front wing," Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur said in Monaco, according to ESPN's Laurence Edmondson "At least we are working on it for ages now and this can be a game-changer for everybody because we don't know the impact on every single team."

The FIA announced a technical directive to clamp down on front wing flexing in January, stating it would go into effect for the ninth race of the season in Barcelona. Front wings will only be allowed to flex 10mm instead of 15mm under load from that point onward.

Flexible bodywork has been a hot topic in Formula 1 since last season. The FIA decided to clamp down on rear wing flexibility to start 2025 before introducing even more stringent tests ahead of the second race of the campaign in China.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner called the new front wing directive coming in Spain a "significant change," though he was unsure how much it'll affect teams.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff predicted Ferrari could capitalize the most, believing the Scuderia was already running a front wing that was "conservative" in flexibility.

McLaren, who has been the focus point of the flexible bodywork since 2024, has repeatedly insisted it won't be affected. Team boss Andrea Stella said earlier this month in Imola that front wing deflection has "nothing to do with the reason why McLaren is very competitive," according to Filip Cleeren of Autosport.

McLaren has a 172-point lead in the constructors' championship, while Oscar Piastri holds a three-point lead over teammate Lando Norris in the drivers' standings. Reigning champion Max Verstappen is 25 points off Piastri.