Lewis Hamilton shares a candid opinion on F1’s new front wing regulations at the Spanish Grand Prix, labeling them a ‘waste of money.’
- The introduction of technical directive TD018 aimed to tighten rules on flexible wings, but Hamilton saw little impact on track performance.
- Despite new regulations, McLaren dominated qualifying, leaving others questioning the effectiveness of the changes.
- Hamilton noticed a difference in car balance, offering a harsh critique on the costs involved.
- Alpine’s Pierre Gasly found the new load tests challenging, reflecting mixed feelings in the paddock.
At the Spanish Grand Prix, the much-discussed technical directive TD018 made its appearance with the intent of restricting overly flexible wings. This change by the FIA was supposed to be a game changer, targeting how flexing could give teams extra speed. However, Lewis Hamilton was unimpressed and openly called these changes a ‘waste of money’, arguing that the modifications had brought about no real difference. McLaren’s pole position in qualifying seemed to support his view, as the competitive landscape remained largely unchanged.
Hamilton, who drives for Ferrari, didn’t shy away from expressing his dissatisfaction. He described the car’s balance as less favorable than before, noting, ‘The balance is definitely not as nice as what we had before.’ He was direct with his criticism, stating, ‘It’s just wasted everyone’s money; it changed nothing. Everyone’s wings still bend. It’s just half the bending.’ Hamilton emphasized that despite the expense of new wings, the actual racing dynamics stayed much the same. ‘I drove on the simulator, and it was pretty much exactly the same,’ he added.
Meanwhile, at Alpine, Pierre Gasly provided a glimpse into how the changes affected them. Adjustments to the setup were necessary as per the new load tests, and while the weekend started off tricky, Gasly felt the team adapted well. He mentioned, ‘FP1 was a little tricky, and then after, I think we did very well to go around those differences.’ His experience reflects the general atmosphere of adjustment and uncertainty among teams, with some feeling the impact more than others.
Ultimately, the new rules did not lead to the shakeup that some had anticipated. Hamilton’s critique underscores a sentiment that resonates with many on the grid, questioning the necessity and impact of the costly regulation changes. Though unique challenges arose from the regulations, particularly during initial practice sessions, the expected upheaval in performance order did not transpire.
The new regulations left the competitive order mostly unaffected, sparking widespread debate over their efficacy and cost.
