McLaren's 'mini DRS' under FIA scrutiny in Singapore

A major talking point in the Singapore paddock is McLaren's innovative 'mini DRS' rear wing, which has caught the attention of the sport's governing body, the FIA.

While Ferrari and other teams are also playing with flexible wing designs that push the limits of the rules, Charles Leclerc made light of his own team's new front wing when asked about it.

"I mean, it's not a mini DRS," he joked, "but it's positive."

Leclerc acknowledged that McLaren's rear wing—designed to reduce drag at high speeds by creating DRS-like openings at the outer edges while still adhering to FIA's flex tests—is "controversial, to put it mildly."

As expected, McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris praised their team's engineering creativity. Piastri remarked, "Well, I mean, it's legal. So yeah, as long as it passes all the tests."

However, Red Bull's Sergio Perez expressed doubts, suggesting McLaren's approach was "outside the regulations," though he admitted that on paper, it's "a legal car."

World champion and Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen added his perspective: "It might be smart, might not be smart, but at the end of the day it's up to the FIA to decide if it's legal or not, right?"

On Thursday, FIA officials were seen meticulously examining McLaren's front and rear wings in the pitlane and team garage before the official Singapore Grand Prix weekend commenced.

Later, the FIA, based in Paris, confirmed they are "closely monitoring the bodywork flexibility" throughout the grid and "reserve the right to require teams to make modifications at any time during the season."

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