Why flexi-wings are a hot topic again in F1

Like deaths and taxes, there is another certainty in life: that as long as aerodynamics remains a part of Formula 1, we will get flexi-wing controversies. The issue has become a hot topic again as the fight at the front of the field heats up – and Mercedes has got itself seemingly back in the hunt with its own design that exploits what its technical director James Allison refers to as a ‘playground’.

But what makes the current situation especially fascinating is that it comes amid a growing realisation from some teams that the only way to be successful with the current generation of ground-effect cars is by exploiting a bit of legal trickery with the front wing.