MARCH 1, 1999

Damon Hill warns of flexible rear wings

DAMON HILL thinks that some of the leading Formula 1 teams are putting their drivers at risk with the development of flexible rear wings, which lean backwards when the cars are at high speed, thus reducing drag on the straights.

DAMON HILL thinks that some of the leading Formula 1 teams are putting their drivers at risk with the development of flexible rear wings, which lean backwards when the cars are at high speed, thus reducing drag on the straights. Such devices are against the F1 regulations which ban aerodynamic devices which move in relation to the chassis. Hill said that in testing lots of teams "have been having problems with them".

A variety of teams have suffered rear wing failures in testing, including Ferrari, Benetton, Prost, Sauber, Stewart and BAR. Most of the failures have been blamed on engine vibrations.

"The FIA ought to be concerned about this," said Hill. "Front and rear wing failures are two of the worst things that can happen."