Analysis of the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix: the return of Formula 1’s “old ghosts”

 Abstract

The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix exposed several well-known issues in the paddock and among fans: the return of flexible wings, the reduced spectacle resulting from the increased difficulty of staying within one second of another car, and the immature implementation and management of the Heat Hazard Device. Although these three elements are distinct, they converge on one common point: the need for all stakeholders to take a clear stance and act decisively to prevent these problems from undermining the future success of the sport in the long term.

*Disclaimer*

Like every other piece written by this author, this article aims solely to highlight critical issues with the constructive intent of fostering dialogue and finding solutions to problems that emerge throughout the season.

The return of flexible wings: the new Mercedes front wing

One of the most debated topics during the Singapore weekend was the return of the so-called flexi-wings. In particular, Mercedes introduced a new front wing configuration that displayed elastic behaviour under specific load and speed conditions, similar to that analysed during the 2023 and 2024 seasons[1].

Despite numerous technical directives (such as TD018 and TD039D) attempting to put an end to this phenomenon through stricter tests, the real problem lies in the inspection method itself: static rigidity tests are not sufficient to evaluate the dynamic behaviour of composite materials[2]. Teams have learned to arrange carbon fibre layers in an anisotropic manner, making the wings rigid under static loads yet flexible on the track. This approach provides both aerodynamic benefits on straights and improved stability during braking.

As previously pointed out in previous analyses[3], the real limitation lies in the practical application of the regulation, not the regulation itself. Article 3.2.2 of the Technical Regulations states clearly that 'all aerodynamic components must be rigidly secured and immobile'. What is needed are not new directives, but rather more effective enforcement methods, such as the introduction of dynamic tests — as has already been proposed for rear wings — and the imposition of immediate sanctions. The continued introduction of tests and exceptions risks creating further grey areas and promoting 'flexibility' not only in the wings, but also in the rules themselves.

 

The lack of spectacle and the return of the “dirty air” phenomenon

The Singapore 2025 race also highlighted an issue that many believed had been resolved by the introduction of the 2022 technical regulations: the challenge of closely following another car. The initial goal of the ground-effect era was to encourage close racing by minimising the aerodynamic turbulence generated by the cars. However, subsequent technical directives and continuous aerodynamic evolution have gradually reverted the situation to pre-2022 conditions.

Teams have progressively sealed the floor edges and reduced exposed surfaces, increasing once again the load generated by lateral vortices. The result was clear: few overtakes, static races, and a loss of the dynamic, unpredictable racing spectacle that had defined the early stages of the new regulatory cycle.

Clearly, the FIA must address this issue decisively, not so much for the current season, but with a view to the next regulatory overhaul. This will present numerous challenges and will be analysed in detail in a forthcoming article.

To this must be added the persistent problems linked to the size of modern F1 cars — now so wide that overtaking has become difficult on many circuits — and the characteristics of Pirelli’s current tyre compounds, whose excessive durability often renders pit stops and strategy practically irrelevant.

 

The Heat Hazard Device and its safety implications

The third major theme emerging from Singapore concerns the use of the new Heat Hazard Device, introduced in 2025 to protect drivers under extreme heat conditions[4]. The system, developed in collaboration with Chillout Motorsports, involves a cooling vest connected to a liquid circuit integrated within the car.

While the solution is commendable and necessary, the issue arises from the fact that it is left to the drivers’ discretion whether to activate the device. In a hyper-competitive context such as Formula One, even a few grams of extra weight or minimal difference in energy management can affect lap times. Therefore, if a driver can choose whether or not to activate the device, safety becomes optional.

For this reason, it would be appropriate for the FIA to make the activation of the system mandatory whenever a heat hazard is officially declared in 2026, thereby ensuring uniformity and fairness of conditions. Allowing drivers to make the decision themselves could compromise individual safety, set dangerous precedents and create further interpretative ambiguities.

 

Conclusions

Despite technical and regulatory progress, the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix has shown that Formula One remains trapped in a cycle of partial solutions and ambiguous interpretations. Recurring issues such as flexible wings, the loss of on-track spectacle and uncertainty surrounding the implementation of new safety measures continue to be present in the sport.

Ensuring that the category can finally enjoy the bright future it deserves requires consistent, well-directed effort and a collective commitment from governing bodies and teams alike.

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[1] Beatrice D., Why FIA needs to be less flexible with wings rules, 2024.

[2] Ibid., section “What are Flexi-wings?”.

[3] Ibid., section “Why FIA needs to be less flexible with wings rules”.

[4] Mandal A., Explained: How the Driver Cooling System Will Work in F1 Cars, The SportsRush, 2024.