P1 with Matt and Tommy Reaction to Spanish GP practice
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May 30, 2025 The discussion kicks off with the impact of a new technical directive on the weekend's Spanish GP, raising questions about McLaren's competitive edge. There's lively debate about rookie drivers and the teams' strategies to exploit practice sessions. Highlights include the excitement around the upcoming live tour and how recent car regulations are shifting the balance in Formula One. The hosts also dive into the struggles of established drivers and the unpredictability of the current season, making for an engaging and insightful listen.
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FIA Limits Flexi-Wing Advantages
- The FIA reduced front wing flexibility to limit aerodynamic advantages from flexi-wings.
- Teams had been exploiting wing flex to optimize speed and balance across different track conditions.
Magnitude of Flex Reduction Matters
- Reducing front wing flex from 15mm to 10mm is a 33% cut, which is significant despite sounding small.
- Opinions vary on how big the impact of this change will be on car performance and driver confidence.
Ryo Hirakawa's Rookie Outing Strategy
- Ryo Hirakawa has already completed three FP1 appearances in 2025 with different teams.
- This suggests the rookie outing rule is being exploited as a paid opportunity rather than purely talent nurturing.