FIA Clamps Down on "Mini-DRS"

Who Wins, Who Loses?

March 18, 2025

 THE RULE CHANGES EXPLAINED

The FIA has thrown a significant technical curveball into the 2025 season with its latest regulatory intervention targeting what has become known as the "mini-DRS" effect. Here's what's changing:

Rear Wing Restrictions

  • New Slot Gap Limit: Reduced from 2mm to just 0.5mm under a 75kg load

  • Temporary Tolerance: Additional 0.25mm allowed for Chinese GP only due to short notice

  • Implementation: Effective immediately for Shanghai weekend

Image Of “Mini DRS” Employed By Mclaren At High Speeds

Front Wing Modifications

  • Maximum Flex: Reduced from 15mm to 10mm under a 1000N load

  • Timeline: Implementation from Spanish GP onwards

  • Purpose: Further restrict aerodynamic advantages from flexible elements

 DRS Parameters

  • Only Two Positions: Open or closed, with no intermediate states

  • Return Mechanism: Must return to initial state after deployment

  • Goal: Eliminate gray areas in DRS operation

🏆 WINNERS AND LOSERS

👍 POTENTIAL WINNERS

Red Bull Racing

The reigning champions have traditionally relied less on flexible wing elements compared to their rivals. Their design philosophy under Adrian Newey has focused on maximizing ground effect and diffuser efficiency rather than wing flex. The new regulations could bring competitors back closer to Red Bull's approach, potentially negating advantages others have found.

Ferrari

Sources within the paddock suggest Ferrari's SF-25 was designed with these potential rule changes in mind. Their pre-season testing data indicated strong performance even with more rigid wing elements. Technical Director Enrico Cardile's forward-thinking approach may pay dividends as teams scramble to adapt.

Aston Martin

The Silverstone-based outfit has been working on a new rear wing design that complies with the stricter deflection tests since late 2024. This foresight could give them a head start while others play catch-up. Their technical partnership with Honda may also have provided valuable insights into efficient, rigid wing designs.

👎 POTENTIAL LOSERS

McLaren

The McLaren team has been at the center of the "mini-DRS" controversy. Their impressive straight-line speed advantage in Australia raised eyebrows, and these new regulations appear specifically targeted at their innovative approach. The team may need significant redesigns to maintain their performance level, potentially costing valuable development time.

Mercedes

Similar to McLaren, Mercedes has relied on clever wing flexibility to claw back performance. Their W16 has shown impressive speed on straights, but the new regulations could force a rethink of their aero package. The team's resources should allow for quick adaptation, but may require compromises in other development areas.

Alpine

The French manufacturer has been vocal about their progress with flexible aerodynamics. Their recent upgrades have focused heavily on exploiting this area, and the sudden rule change could derail their development trajectory. With limited resources compared to the top teams, adapting quickly will be challenging.

💡 INSIDER ANALYSIS

The timing of these changes is particularly interesting. Implementing significant technical changes just before the Chinese Grand Prix suggests the FIA has observed concerning trends in the early races of 2025.

Our technical sources indicate that some teams had developed systems where the rear wing slot gap would gradually increase under load at higher speeds, effectively creating a "mini-DRS" effect even when the official DRS wasn't activated. This provided a stealth advantage on straights without triggering the existing compliance tests.

The reduction from 2mm to 0.5mm represents a 75% decrease in allowable deflection—a massive change that will require substantial redesigns rather than simple adjustments. Teams like McLaren and Mercedes, who have invested heavily in these flexible systems, now face a dilemma: rush modifications for Shanghai or accept a potential performance hit.

For the midfield teams, this regulation change creates both opportunity and risk. Those who haven't relied heavily on wing flex could find themselves closer to the front, while those who have might slide backward.

The front wing changes, while less immediate, could have an even more profound impact on the championship by Spain. The reduction in allowable flex will fundamentally alter how teams manage airflow to the rest of the car, potentially reshuffling the competitive order once again.

🔮 IMPACT ON CHINESE GP

For this weekend's race in Shanghai, expect a scramble in the paddock. Teams will be working overtime to adjust their setups, with some potentially forced to run more conservative configurations to ensure compliance.

The long straights of Shanghai International Circuit make this rule change particularly impactful. Teams that can quickly adapt while maintaining efficiency will have a significant advantage. Look for potential surprises in qualifying as the true impact of these changes becomes clear.

One thing is certain: the technical battleground of Formula 1 continues to evolve at a blistering pace, and the true winners will be those who can adapt fastest to the FIA's latest intervention.

The F1 Insider Team