FIA implements rear-wing flex rules on all Formula 1 teams for Chinese Grand Prix

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has implemented a compulsory rule change on all ten of the Formula 1 teams ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. The new amendment is intended to limit rear-wing flexibility. At the season opening in Melbourne, the governing body fitted cameras on chosen cars to observe the degree of rear-wing flexing during track use. This led the FIA to introduce tighter limits for the next race at the Shanghai International Circuit.


From the Chinese Grand Prix, which is going to be held from March 21–23 teams will have to comply with more stringent rear-wing flexibility requirements. Previously, the amount of permissible movement in the slot gap—the gap between the rear wing flap and the main plane—was limited to 2mm before the season. But in a major stiffening of regulations, this tolerance has now been cut to a mere 0.5mm.
A statement released by the governing body reads:
As has been previously communicated, between the end of the 2024 season and the start of the 2025 season, the FIA exercised the authority it is granted under Article 3.15.1 of the Technical Regulations to introduce either new or more challenging load-deflection tests for the front wing (from race 9, Spanish Grand Prix), the upper rear wing, and the beam rear wing. In addition, the FIA requested to the teams to use cameras in Free Practice Sessions to monitor the on-track deformations exhibited by the cars during the Australian Grand Prix.
Having analysed footage from the rear wing deformations combined to the static deflections measured inside the FIA garage in Melbourne, the FIA has concluded that sufficient grounds exist for a tougher test to be introduced from the forthcoming Chinese Grand Prix on the upper rear wing.
More specifically, Article 3.15.17, introduced in 2025, states that if 75Kg of vertical load is applied on either extremity of the rear wing mainplane, the distance between the mainplane and the flap (also known as “slot gap”) must not vary by more than 2mm. From the forthcoming Grand Prix in Shanghai, this limit will be reduced to 0.5mm. Due to the short notice for Shanghai only a tolerance of 0.25mm will be added to this new limit.
The Teams were informed of this revised test early Monday 17th of March.
The FIA wishes to further confirm that during the Melbourne event all cars tested against the requirements of Article 3.15.17 and found to comply, therefore all cars raced in Melbourne were deemed to be legal.

Despite the tightened enforcement, the FIA has implemented a tolerance level of 0.75mm for this weekend's race, taking into account the sudden introduction of the changes. This modification allows teams a reasonable chance to meet the requirements without incurring instant penalties. All teams respected the regulations in Australia despite the FIA's watchfulness, proving a united attempt to stay within legal boundaries.

The question of flexible aerodynamic parts has remained a long-standing controversy within Formula 1 and re-emerged following accusations against McLaren's front wing design towards the end of last season. While McLaren successfully underwent all of the FIA-regulated tests, the scandal prompted the governing authority to take bold action. In the future, the FIA has set a new round of strict front-wing flexibility tests to come into force at the Spanish Grand Prix later this year.
Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner criticized the timing of the changes, “I think it’s good that they’ve addressed it. Obviously, there’s been a change and a tidy-up to the rear wing. The front wing gets changed at race nine. Why nine? I don’t know, but it is what it is. It’s the same for everyone. It just means that you’ve got a pre-race nine and a post-race nine set of issues to deal with, which inevitably will drive cost.” He said according to a report by GP fans.
Also read: FIA confirms two-stop minimum for Monaco GP to elevate on-track action
With the Chinese Grand Prix on the horizon, teams will be forced to get used to the newly introduced rear-wing limitations quickly. As Formula 1 continues in its tireless quest for regulation compliance, the war between innovation and control remains a dominant narrative in the sport.