Nov.27 (GMM) A rumour in the Interlagos paddock could spell bad news for Red Bull and Ferrari, as the FIA looks to clamp down on flexible front wings.

The issue has returned to the fore at recent races, with Ferrari testing a Red Bull-style wing that is so flexible at speed that it often "flutters" and sends sparks flying from the bottoming endplates.

Spanish sports newspaper Marca said the governing body has been looking at how to further improve its scrutineering load tests so that teams cannot pass them with clearly flexible wings.

"Marca has learned that the FIA intends to put the issue on the table next week", the report said, with the issue needing to be resolved quickly ahead of the 2012 season.

The report said McLaren would be the biggest beneficiary, with its 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton quoted as admitting Red Bull has been "light years ahead" for some time.

"They've had basically the same car for three years," said the Briton, "and it's been light years ahead, especially at the beginning and in the middle of a season.

"I don't think they've broken down even once. It's a serious machine," added Hamilton.

But with the flexible wing advantage now in doubt, Red Bull's advantage may also be further reduced due to the prohibition of blown exhausts next year.

"When you stop a team from utilising what has been the most important factor in their performance, the tendency is that they do lose some strength," Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn confirmed to O Estado de S.Paulo.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version