Turbulence is brewing in F1 starting with the Barcelona Grand Prix, which could significantly affect all teams and cars, including Carlos Sainz‘s Williams and Fernando Alonso‘s Aston Martin. A rule change is coming into effect that requires all teams to modify their front wings, and now we have to wait and see which team gets it right with the new specifications.
FIA changes to the front wing
It is unusual to see such significant changes halfway through a season, but there is an explanation: the FIA banned flexible front wings for the 2025 season, but did so too late, when the teams had already built their cars for the current season. This led to protests, so the FIA decided to give the teams some leeway. This leeway had an expiry date of May 25, i.e., this Sunday. The Monaco Grand Prix will be the last race to allow these wings, which have caused so much controversy in the F1 paddock. They will become rigid from the Barcelona Grand Prix onwards, and we will see how the teams cope with this new regulation.
How it affects Aston Martin
Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso are very confident with this new update. Having verified that the wind tunnel unveiled a few months ago is working, they are eagerly awaiting to see how this new part, which will drastically affect the aerodynamics of the cars, adapts. It will be the first part of the AMR25 created from scratch with the new wind tunnel, as those unveiled at Imola, although revised with the new technology, were originally designed with the Mercedes wind tunnel. The British team will also debut new suspension, which they hope will enable them to take a significant step forward and get their season back on track after a very poor start.
And what about Carlos Sainz and Williams?
In the case of the FW47, there are more doubts. Williams’ current performance is well above expectations, having finished third on the grid in many Grand Prix races. However, the team is focused on 2026 and will not be bringing any updates during the season unless they are mandatory, as is the case, and we do not know how much they will have invested to maintain the current level, which was not expected to be so high.
McLaren in danger and Red Bull pushing hard
McLaren is one of the teams with the most to lose. A few weeks ago, the FIA modified certain loopholes in the regulations that seemed to be hurting the “papayas,” and they dropped in performance at Imola. As for the wing, it has been one of the teams most criticized for taking advantage of these loopholes in the regulations. They are expected to take a step back, we will see how much, as their superiority until now has been overwhelming, and it will be necessary to gauge whether this loss could jeopardize their championship.
The opposite side seems to be Red Bull, which, despite having a poor car, has managed to keep Verstappen in the fight for the World Championship. On the other hand, the team took a step forward in Italy, Verstappen won because he had the best car (and because he is the best driver), and they have worked meticulously on the parts for the new regulations. They know that the Constructors’ Championship is almost impossible, but they will do everything possible to ensure that Verstappen can win his fifth World Championship and thus keep him in the team for the coming seasons.
F1 is approaching a decisive moment in the season. The FIA’s changes could mean a significant shift in the aspirations of many teams. Some will get it right and improve, others will be hurt and lose positions. It’s a revolution that could really shake up the current F1 World Championship.