Formula 1’s governing body has rejected complaints from Red Bull and Ferrari about the legality of the front wings on the McLaren and Mercedes cars.

Red Bull and Ferrari believed the front wings flexed excessively and were not compliant with the rules.

But the FIA said on Tuesday: “All front wings are currently compliant with the 2024 regulations.”

Red Bull and Ferrari have not responded to requests for comment.

Neither team has formally objected to the wings on the McLaren and Mercedes.

But the FIA was aware of their concerns and issued its statement in response to comments after Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix from Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, the team’s motorsport adviser Helmut Marko and Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur.

Horner said: “The regulations are very clear and that’s an FIA issue. Obviously they are tested and they pass, but then you have to look at the wording of the regulations.

“It’s an FIA issue, so we’ll leave it and trust in them to deal with it.”

Marko said: “The front wing of McLaren and Mercedes must be analysed.”

Vasseur said: “This is a discussion that I don’t want to have with you. I will have it with [FIA single-seater director Nikolas] Tombazis.”

The complaints were raised in the context of the increase in competitiveness of the McLaren and Mercedes cars in recent months.

Red Bull dominated the start of the season, but find themselves under increasing pressure from McLaren in both drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

The world champions admit they do not yet know the solution to handling problems which are affecting the competitiveness of their car, and after Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix Max Verstappen said: “At the moment, both championships are not realistic.”

Verstappen, who has not won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in June, has a 62-point championship lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris with eight races to go – and 232 more points available.

McLaren are just eight points behind Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.


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