After Purple Bull launched its personal investigation into Max Verstappen’s Silverstone crash, with staff principal Laurent Mekies insisting the squad would leave “no stone unturned”, the FIA has additionally requested further data.
Autosport has discovered that the governing physique has contacted each Ferrari and Purple Bull relating to their rotating rear wings, which have change into often known as the ‘Macarena wing’ since their introduction in Miami.
Ferrari was the primary staff to unveil a rotating rear wing for the energetic aerodynamics throughout pre-season testing in Bahrain, with the intention of decreasing drag even additional. Though China had initially been focused as its race debut, Ferrari finally determined to not use the design till the Miami Grand Prix.
Purple Bull additionally launched its personal model in Florida, though technical director Pierre Wache careworn that the inspiration had not come from Ferrari. In actuality, Purple Bull had already been creating its personal idea since November 2025, with a design that rotates in the other way to Ferrari’s wing.
Purple Bull’s rear wing is extra aggressive within the dimension of the energetic aerodynamic opening it creates, and due to this fact within the quantity of drag discount it will possibly obtain on the straights.
Whereas Ferrari has to this point encountered no technical points with its Macarena wing, Purple Bull has suffered two failures on Verstappen’s automobile.
Following his crashes at Spielberg and Silverstone, Verstappen has described the scenario as “tremendous harmful”
Picture by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos through Getty Photos
Are further checks or necessities wanted?
The staff has clarified that the incidents in Spielberg and Silverstone had been brought on by two completely different issues, though Verstappen described the overall situation as “super dangerous” after his crash last Sunday.
For the FIA, each crashes are enough motive to hunt additional clarification from Ferrari and Purple Bull. At this stage, the request is primarily geared toward acquiring further data to make sure that each groups are absolutely compliant with all security necessities whereas the system is in operation.
These necessities embrace, amongst different issues, the utmost transition time of 400 milliseconds inside which the rear wing should shut. Logically, nevertheless, that point restrict doesn’t robotically imply that the airflow has absolutely reattached.
The technical laws state: “Any adjustment of RW Flap might solely be managed by the FIA Customary ECU and should have a most transition time between the 2 mounted positions that doesn’t exceed 400ms, measured from the moment at which the command to alter mode is issued by the FIA Customary ECU till the place sensor, linked to the FIA Customary ECU, confirms that the commanded mounted place has been reached.”
The FIA’s main goal at this stage is to interact with Ferrari and Purple Bull to assessment, in gentle of the current incidents, whether or not each groups absolutely adjust to all necessities.
Solely afterwards will the governing physique decide whether or not any further laws or checks are required, for instance if Purple Bull is discovered to have complied with each current requirement however such incidents are nonetheless potential.
In probably the most excessive situation, the FIA may resolve to ban the idea for the rest of the season or for 2027, though that isn’t the target of the present investigation and isn’t instantly on the playing cards at this stage.
Though McLaren has additionally been engaged on a rotating wing, the FIA’s request has to this point been restricted to Ferrari and Purple Bull
Picture by: Paul Foster
FIA request presently restricted to Ferrari and Purple Bull, not McLaren
Purple Bull has already confirmed that it’ll analyse whether or not it desires to race with the rotating rear wing at Spa-Francorchamps subsequent week. Except for the FIA request, Purple Bull – significantly given Verstappen’s rising frustration behind the scenes – can’t afford one other rear wing failure.
“We’re going to assessment the total space to verify we depart zero likelihood for that to occur once more,” Mekies stated on Sunday night. “We’ll do no matter is critical to be on the secure facet.”
Scrutinising the rotating rear wing idea has change into much more necessary as a result of extra F1 groups are introducing their very own variations. McLaren introduced a rotating rear wing to Austria for the primary time, however didn’t but take into account the design prepared to be used, not even throughout a free apply session.
Andrea Stella’s staff additionally selected to not use the brand new rear wing in the course of the Silverstone dash weekend due to the weekend format, however hinted that the wing may make its on-track debut in Belgium.
Autosport understands that the FIA’s present request issues solely Ferrari and Purple Bull, and doesn’t at this stage lengthen to McLaren.
We need to hear from you!
Tell us what you wish to see from us sooner or later.
– The Autosport.com Crew
