Honda still unhappy with Ferrari's 'flexing' wing

By Phil Huff
April 27 2006

The Ferrari 'flexi-wing' saga refuses to go away, with Honda Racing F1's Geoffrey Willis claiming that the rear wing on the Italian teams car still bends at high speed.

The situation arose after the Malaysian Grand Prix, with rival teams complaining that both the front and rear wings of the Ferrari flexed beyond the prescribed limits. The front wing caught particular attention following some detailed images appearing on TV through the on-board camera.

"The FIA will clarify the situation before we get to Melbourne," said Honda boss Nick Fry at the time. "That's what we need. All we asked Charlie Whiting is which interpretation is correct. It would be unfortunate if Ferrari's interpretation is said to be right because all the other teams will have to do similar things."

However, despite the teams apparently knowing about the flexing for some six months, no changes were mandated by the FIA until the run up to the Australian race last month.

However, Honda Racing F1's technical director Geoffrey Willis is still unhappy, telling Italian magazine Autosprint that he has "written a letter to the FIA's Charlie Whiting, because the speed of the Ferrari car at the end of each straight is incredible.

"I think I have enough evidence on video to show their rear wing is too flexible."