The FIA is considering introducing dynamic testing methods as it looks to clamp down even further on flexible front wings in Formula 1.
Nikolas Tombazis, the governing body's single-seater technical boss, had a busy weekend in Barcelona as tougher front wing flexibility checks were implemented — targeting McLaren-style designs.
However, the updated rules appear to have had little effect. McLaren locked out the front row in qualifying, with no major changes in the competitive order.
"What a waste of money," Lewis Hamilton told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Nothing has changed. Everyone's wings are still bending – they're just getting halfway to the bending point now and everyone has had to build new wings and spend money to make them.
"It would have been better for everyone to donate the money to charity," the Ferrari driver added.
Tombazis admitted that while teams showed up in Spain with stiffer wings and modified aerodynamics, tricks remain.
"The teams arrived prepared with more rigid wings and some aerodynamic modifications," he told Sky Italia.
He confirmed that the FIA is exploring dynamic tests — evaluations made while cars are on track — as the next step.
"First, the issue is to better understand the precision of the measurements," Tombazis explained. "For now, we use dynamic tests to calibrate the static tests."
Barcelona also saw the debut of an experimental change under the cars: steel plank materials replacing the traditional titanium that produces sparks.
"For now it's an experiment, so it's too early to judge," said Tombazis.
"It weighs more, but it's the same for everyone. We think the consumption is similar."
While the steel doesn't create the visual sparks fans are used to, Tombazis clarified: "The intention is to use them only on tracks where there is a risk of fires."
