Checks on active aerodynamics
As per practice at the end of the Australian GP a car was raffled off by the FIA to carry out tests more in-depth technical checks in addition to the usual ones relating to the weight and consumption of the flat bottom.
In Melbourne the Stewards took out the Mercedes W17 of George Russell. The attention of the FIA delegates was focused on the active aerodynamics of the front wing which was found to comply with the technical and sporting regulations.
In the press conference at the end of the GP Russell underlined that from his point of view it would go reduced the span of the front wing because it is slightly dangerous when you find yourself engaged in a duel with another driver: “After experiencing today’s race and struggling, the only thing I would ask the FIA is that with Straight Mode the front wing doesn’t dip so aggressively. When we activate Straight Mode we have a lot of understeer and when I was behind Charles and trying to get out of his slipstream it was like my front wing wasn’t working. So I think from a safety point of view this would make the races safer and better. I don’t see any downside to doing that.”
