Red Bull Racing will revert to its high‑performance rotating rear wing for the RB22 at next week’s Hungarian Grand Prix after a safety review following recent crashes.
Safety Review After Silverstone Incidents
Technical director Pierre Wache confirmed the team identified a mechanical flaw in the wing’s actuator after Max Verstappen’s two falls last month. The issue, flagged during the Belgian sprint, prompted Red Bull to suspend wing use at the Austrian start‑line.
Wache told reporters that the investigation highlighted the wing’s rotating unit acting beyond limits, sparking concerns about structural integrity. He added the team had already briefed the FIA and furnished evidence to satisfy regulatory requirements.
Technical Fixes and Preparation
Red Bull has re‑engineered the actuator and reinforced key components, aiming to deliver a “bulletproof” system before it appears on the car. The upgraded mechanism will undergo rigorous bench testing and on‑track validation at the Hungaroring.
The team is confident the redesign will meet the FIA’s safety thresholds, allowing the wing to re‑join the RB22’s aerodynamic package as early as Sunday.
Performance Outlook with the Wing
Red Bull benchmarked the rotating wing at the Miami Grand Prix, noting significant straight‑line gains in two‑step mode. The rotating element is expected to raise top speed by 2–3 km/h on the Hungaroring’s long main straight.
However, the chassis balance will need fine‑tuning, especially regarding how the rotating wing affects load distribution across the nose and diffuser during short rainshifts.
Verstappen’s Feedback and Future Optimisation
Max Verstappen topped Free Practice 1 at Spa‑Francorchamps and finished third in the second session, nearly half a second behind Kimi Antonelli and just ahead of Lando Norris. Wache said the driver remains content with performance, yet believes further balance improvement could shave time on short runs.
The RB22’s degradation profile will also be monitored; Wache indicated the team will target more consistent tyre wear once the wing is active.
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