George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 13, 2026 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/LAT Images)

Formula 1 News: Mercedes tweaks illegal front wing after Ferrari query

(GMM) Mercedes has reportedly made subtle changes to its much-discussed front wing design at Suzuka, following Ferrari’s queries about its behavior in China.

Related ArticleFormula 1 News: Ferrari queries Mercedes ‘two-phase’ illegal front wing

Ferrari had approached the FIA for clarification over what it believed could be a “two-phase” transition in the wing’s operation – raising questions about whether it fully complied with the intent of the 400-millisecond regulation window.

However, the issue has not escalated into a formal investigation.

Instead, Mercedes has apparently adjusted the design for this weekend, with reports indicating the modifications were made to address reliability concerns rather than legality.

The revised wing is understood to now ensure that the flaps fully retract within the required timeframe, removing any ambiguity about its operation.