‘Game changer’: New F1 rule change brought in for Spanish Grand Prix

F1 is clamping down with a new rule this weekend, with teams hopeful it will be a “game changer” and help end McLaren’s dominance.

A new rule is being introduced at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix and it has the potential to shake-up the remainder of the Formula One season.

After McLaren was investigated for its rear wing ‘mini DRS’ last year and its rear tyre cooling advantage, front wings are the latest area of F1 cars where the rules have been tightened up.

The FIA has confirmed from this weekend, all F1 teams will be subjected to updated static load tests. Specifically, the maximum permitted front wing deflection under load will be reduced from 15mm to 10mm.

Five millimetres may not sound like a lot, but it gives teams less room to design a front wing that can flex at high speeds.

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The sport’s governing body doesn’t want aero elasticity to be a talking point in F1.

The FIA’s Nikolas Tombazis said: “When championship battles become intense, teams tend to focus on each other’s cars a lot, and naturally they raise concerns and over the latter half of the season we came to the conclusion that we needed to toughen a bit more the tests for 2025.

“We frequently test in parc fermé conditions — either on Saturday after qualifying or Sunday morning, as obviously, in parc fermé teams cannot make changes to their car.”

It remains to be seen if the front wing change will have an effect on McLaren’s dominance or bring the already condensed F1 grid even closer together.

McLaren is way out in front in the constructors championship on 319 points, with Mercedes 172 points behind. But only five points separates Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari in the battle for second.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is hopeful the change will be a “game changer” and help turn his team’s fortunes around following a difficult start to the season.

“Barcelona is on the calendar of everybody in the paddock with the new regulation for the front wing,” Vasseur said.

“We are working on it for ages now and this can be a game changer for everybody, because we don’t know the impact on every single team of the new regulation.

“I think we stick to this, and we’ll be focused on this to have the better exploitation of the new front wing.”

F1’s front wing clampdown begins this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc told Sky Sports: “You can hear rumours in the paddock and some people will be more affected than others, for sure. I don’t think on our side is going to change a lot, but we’ll see.”

Speaking to news.com.au, Supercars legend Mark Skaife predicted the front wing change to “have an effect” on the status quo.

“If the other teams think that whatever the front wing change gives their car a step up or it gets them closer to McLaren, then that’s good for the game,” Skaife said.

Sauber’s team principal Jonathan Wheatley said: “I’m a very optimistic person and I’m hoping that other teams are going to suffer more than we are.”

It remains to be seen what effect the rule change has. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Ferrari's team principal Fred Vasseur hopes it will be a “game changer”. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP)

‘Healthy’ McLaren battle has Prost-Senna potential

After eight races, Oscar Piastri leads his McLaren teammate Lando Norris by just three points following the Brit’s victory in Monaco.

Max Verstappen can’t be counted out in the championship battle, which is set to go down to the wire this year.

Piastri will look to strike back this weekend in Barcelona, where he has struggled in his two appearances at the circuit, qualifying 10th both times.

Lando Norris is 2-0 in qualifying H2H against Oscar Piastri in Barcelona.

Norris qualified: 3rd & 1st.
Piastri qualified: 10th & 10th.

Norris has really shined here while Piastri has struggled putting a clean lap together in Q3 both years. pic.twitter.com/xSwDbBYAJM

— Daniel Valente 🏎️ (@F1GuyDan) May 28, 2025

McLaren have opted not to pick a No. 1 driver this year and Skaife believes the rivalry within the team can only be a good thing.

“It’s very, very healthy to have the level of competition that they’ve demonstrated,” he said.

“I know they’re not the names yet, but it’s reminiscent for me of the Senna-Prost battles.

“In the history of the sport, the Senna-Prost battle at McLaren has probably been the pinnacle, not just because their extraordinary careers and their driving, but because they went about it differently.

“I would have said pre-Monaco that Oscar had Lando’s measure. Oscar’s been superb.

“Then on the weekend Lando had the counterpunch in a big response, especially in qualifying.

“I’m intrigued. I’m absolutely fascinated as to the swings and roundabouts of how this year’s going to unfold.”

Watch every practice and qualifying session of the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, including the race on Sunday at 11pm AEST on Kayo Sports.

Originally published as ‘Game changer’: New F1 rule change brought in for Spanish Grand Prix