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Not just endplates bending on Red Bulls Not just endplates bending on Red BullsComments Off

Those who believe only Red Bull’s front wing endplates are flexing appear to be wide of the mark.

Pressure from McLaren, Mercedes and perhaps other rivals of the Austrian owned team has resulted in new wing flexibility tests being devised by the FIA for the forthcoming Belgian grand prix.

Reports indicate that the new tests will involve the doubling of the testing load from 50kg to 100kg, amid suspicions Red Bull and Ferrari devised a way to have the endplates bend under disproportionately higher loads out on track.

But for Red Bull, there seems to be a much more complex story to emerge.

“It’s very clever,” said McLaren’s Jenson Button on Thursday, whilst preparing for the London Triathlon.

“We’ve just got to understand it — and as quickly as possible,” he is quoted by the Telegraph.

After Hockenheim, where Ferrari finally got on terms with Red Bull, the photographs of the bending wings started doing the rounds.

And before running the F10s a few days later, Ferrari chief engineer Chris Dyer said the team was set to consider “some different front wing options” in Hungary.

The rumours about Ferrari’s flexing wings subsequently quietened, as the focus on the RB6 intensified.

It is now being suggested in F1 circles that flexing endplates is only part of Red Bull’s story.

“It doesn’t just seem to be their wing that flexes,” Button had said in Hungary.

Indeed, further scrutiny of the flexi-wing photographs from Hockenheim and Hungary seem to show Red Bull’s entire front nose – not just the wing and its extremities – much closer to the ground than any of their rivals, including Ferrari.

How the team is achieving this is unknown, but the manner in which Sebastian Vettel’s prototype broke at the mounting at high speed on Hangar straight during third practice at Silverstone might be a clue.

Another theory is that the front of the floor of the car is flexing towards the ground on track, whilst the rear is lifting.

And it is believed the flexing of the rear floor in particular would have a radical effect in terms of the front wing height.

“I’ve heard rumours about all sorts of things going on, including flexible floors,” BBC radio commentator Anthony Davidson said in Hungary.

Red Bull set to dominate as flex saga continues Red Bull set to dominate as flex saga continuesComments Off

Red Bull’s dominance seemed apparent on Friday, as the controversy about flexible front wings looked set to continue.

Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber were a second clear of the next best runner, Robert Kubica’s Renault, in the morning practice session in Hungary.

Slow-motion replays captured by the sport’s broadcaster Formula One Management highlighted the extent to which the extremities of the RB6′s front wing bend towards the track.

The highest-placed Ferrari was Hockenheim winner Fernando Alonso, 1.8 seconds off the pace, amid suggestions the team has decided not to run its flexible wing at the Hungaroring.

“We will see what we will end up using,” said chief engineer Chris Dyer.

Red Bull’s Christian Horner told the BBC: “I’m sure the Ferraris will be quick around here — but I’m also sure the circuit will suit our car, and our drivers like driving here.”

According to the official weather forecaster, there is a chance of rain for the afternoon practice session.


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