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Red Bull Takes On Mercedes F1 With Its Own Flexi Wing Protest

Ever since the start of this season, the reigning world champions, Mercedes AMG, have been struggling quite spectacularly to tame their rivals, Red Bull Racing. And it isn’t particularly subjected to the ongoing rivalry on the track between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

As things stand, the Milton Keynes outfit evidently holds the upper hand against Mercedes on the track, having developed a competitive engine over winter break.

However, in a desperate attempt to bring down Red Bull’s pace, the Brackley outfit had started off an off-track war against their rivals; Mercedes clung to Hamilton’s claim that the rear wing on Verstappen’s car was bending during the race in Spain.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull boss following the race in France
Formula One F1 – French Grand Prix – Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France – June 20, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates with team principle Christian Horner after winning the race Pool via REUTERS/Nicolas Tucat

Hence, they reported this issue to the FIA, claiming the wings are assisting Red Bull in salvaging a much better straight-line speed. This subsequently led to Red Bull counter-claiming that Mercedes are using similar technology on their cars’ front wings.

Well, Red Bull’s advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, has finally revealed that the FIA are looking into possible bendy front wings on the Mercedes W12.

Read More: Who Owns the Red Bull F1 Team?

Red Bull possess enough footage to prove it: Marko

As reported by Planet F1, Marko opened up that the FIA are already looking into the matter surrounding the flexi-wing controversy. And, interestingly, Mercedes have joined the row, thanks to Red Bull.

The FIA is on it,” Marko said. “There is enough footage. We expect it to be similar to the rear wing [new tests]. But we wait to see what the FIA will say.”

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in action at the French GP
Formula One F1 – French Grand Prix – Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France – June 20, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton in action during the race REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Red Bull boss, Christian Horner, reckoned the French GP was more of a “payback” against Mercedes. And one would have naturally thought that it had something to do with the race in Barcelona, where the Brackley outfit pulled off an identical strategy to snatch P1 from Verstappen.

However, now, it feels like the payback isn’t just for the Spanish GP, but also the ongoing flexi-wing row. The rivalry between the two teams is spicing up with each passing weekend, which is undeniably putting up a show for the fans. But, will the rivalry end up showing its uglier side over the coming weeks?

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