Imagine a Formula 1 team, once dominant, suddenly struggling to keep up. That’s exactly what happened to Mercedes when the sport’s rules shifted in 2022, marking the beginning of the ground-effect era. But here’s where it gets controversial: after years of success, Mercedes found itself playing catch-up, and one of its solutions—flexible wings—sparked both innovation and regulatory backlash. Let’s dive into why Mercedes embraced this technology, how it responded to the FIA’s clampdown, and the lessons learned along the way.
Mercedes, a powerhouse in Formula 1 with eight consecutive constructors’ titles, stumbled out of the gate in 2022. Their revolutionary zero-pod concept, while innovative, was plagued by porpoising—a phenomenon causing the car to bounce unpredictably at high speeds. This issue left the team scrambling to regain its footing over the following seasons. In their quest for performance, Mercedes turned to flexible wings, a design tweak that trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin admits “worked quite well.”
And this is the part most people miss: the flexible wings weren’t just about speed; they were a solution to deeper handling issues. Shovlin explains, “Over the past few years, we struggled with slow-corner turning. Our rear tire temperature problems stemmed from drivers relying too heavily on the throttle to rotate the car. Flexible wings allowed the front wing to bend, improving low-speed performance while keeping the rear stable at high speeds.”
However, the FIA wasn’t convinced. In 2025, Formula 1’s governing body introduced stricter regulations on flexible wings, significantly limiting their elasticity. The toughest tests came during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, and while some predicted these changes would curb McLaren’s dominance, it was Mercedes that felt the brunt of the impact.
“Adapting to the new rules took time,” Shovlin noted. “When you’re not the fastest, you study the leaders. We analyzed McLaren’s rear suspension and their anti-lift strategies, which allowed them to maintain a lower rear end through corners. But the clampdown forced us to rethink our approach.”
Mercedes’ flexible wing experiment was just one of many challenges the team faced after the 2022 rule changes. While Shovlin stops short of saying they “underestimated” the shift, he acknowledges, “We didn’t invest enough effort into carrying over the strengths of our 2020–2021 cars. Achieving a balanced through-corner performance—stability on entry, rotation at the apex, and traction on exit—proved tougher than anticipated.”
Today, with teams achieving similar corner speeds, the difference lies in how well a car’s balance suits a specific circuit. This nuance is what separates the frontrunners from the rest. Looking ahead, Mercedes is preparing for another major regulation shift in 2026, which will overhaul car designs and power units. While Shovlin admits there’s “a lot of work to do,” he’s cautiously optimistic, calling the impending changes “less daunting than a month ago.”
Here’s the controversial question: Did the FIA’s clampdown on flexible wings stifle innovation, or was it necessary to maintain fairness in the sport? And as Mercedes gears up for 2026, will they reclaim their dominance, or will the new rules level the playing field even further? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
