Mercedes' "two-phase" front wing activation a reliability issue, not an exploit
The FIA accepted Mercedes' explanation for an odd front wing quirk in China that caught the eye of its Formula 1 rivals
Front wing of George Russell, Mercedes
Photo by: Marcel van Dorst / EYE4images / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Mercedes' peculiar straight mode activation of its front wing, which caught the attention of some of its Formula 1 rivals, was the result of a reliability issue rather than a deliberate exploit, Motorsport.com has learned.
Mercedes caught the eye of its rivals at the Chinese Grand Prix when footage emerged of maiden race winner Kimi Antonelli as his front wing appeared to close in two separate stages at the end of the straight. This raised various theories about whether or not the Brackley team was doing something sinister to gain an advantage.
Teams can only have two different front and rear wing positions between corner mode and straight mode, and as per the FIA regulations there is a 400-millisecond window to transition from one mode to the other.
Antonelli's wing appeared to change stance twice, falling outside of the window, with it understood that one unnamed F1 team raised a question about the issue to the FIA. Mercedes' main 2026 rival Ferrari denied being behind the query.
But on Thursday morning, Motorsport.com learned that the phenomenon was the result of a reliability issue, presumably related to a lack of hydraulic pressure, to revert the wing to its upwards position.
It is understood the FIA has accepted the Mercedes team's explanation, and its willingness to remedy the issue as soon as possible suggested to the governing body that the team was seeing the front wing problem as a performance drain rather than a benefit, as it upsets the car's aero balance an additional time before entering a braking zone.
Photos from Japanese GP - Thursday
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Japanese GP - Thursday, in photos
Share Or Save This Story
How George Russell's luckless Monaco GP unravelled as F1 title deficit grows
Max Verstappen reveals cause of shock Monaco GP retirement: "Engine just dropped dead"
Why F1's sprint format needs a shake-up
George Russell “beyond frustration” after dismal, point-less Monaco GP
Toto Wolff explains Monaco GP penalty confusion after George Russell disaster
The fine lines that denied "faster" Kimi Antonelli in Canadian GP qualifying
Alpine requests FIA ‘right of review’ over penalties which cost Monaco GP podium
Le Mans 24 Hours: Aston Martin fastest at test day
Ferrari explains Charles Leclerc Monaco GP strategy call
Cadillac loses maiden F1 point as Sergio Perez penalised
Why Toto Wolff may need to try some distraction tactics
From “a new back” to the front row: What’s behind Max Verstappen’s surprise Monaco pace?
How Kimi Antonelli's "magic lap" stole pole from Max Verstappen in Monaco
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments