The FIA has decided to intervene with changes to the 2025 technical regulations to avoid borderline cases such as the controversial “mini DRS” of the McLaren, which has been the subject of much discussion during the 2024 season. The decision was taken at the recent World Council of the International Federation, held in Rwanda.
The technical solution adopted by the Woking team has generated controversy since the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where the system had allowed Oscar Piastri to obtain a crucial victory against Charles Leclerc's Ferrari. In that context, the particular design of the rear wing had shown deformation at high speed, reducing aerodynamic resistance even without the activation of the traditional DRS.
Although the “mini DRS” had passed the stiffness tests imposed by the Federation, many opposing teams had contested its legality, prompting the FIA to intervene for the future.
What changes in 2025
The new technical regulation reduces the space allowed between the mobile flap and the main profile of the rear wing, going from the current 10-15 mm to 9,4-13 mm, with a maximum distance of 85 mm between the two elements. Furthermore, it has been established that the flap movement must be limited to only two positions: open and closed. Once deactivated, the flap must return strictly to its initial position, eliminating any ambiguity in its use.
Nikolas Tombazis, head of the FIA's technical department, explained that the aim is to ensure greater uniformity in the use of DRS, avoiding extreme solutions that could compromise fairness on the track.

Other new features of the regulation
The World Motor Sport Council has also introduced a mandatory cooling kit for drivers in extreme heat. This measure will be implemented when the FIA weather system detects temperatures above 30,5°C or when indicated by the race director. To compensate for the additional weight of the system, the minimum weight limit of the cars will be increased by 5kg for the entire weekend.
With these changes, the FIA intends to draw a clear line on borderline aerodynamic solutions, promoting a more transparent and safe competition. The 2025 regulation will thus be the test bench to evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions and their impact on the balance of the grid.
Source: Motorsport.com