Hamilton: F1 flexi-wing rules waste of money and made no difference

Hamilton was, of course, referring to the rule Formula 1 flexi-wing change had been eagerly awaited for the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, with some hoping it might help slow runaway leaders McLaren.

Instead, the Woking-based team swept the front row at the Circuit de Catalunya with championship leader Oscar Piastri on pole position and his closest rival Lando Norris more dominant than ever.

"It has not made a difference," said seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton, who qualified P5 with hopes of reaching the podium. It's been a waste of money. It's just wasted everyone's money.

"Everyone's wings still bend, it's just half the bending, and everyone's had to make new wings and spend more money to make these. It doesn't make sense... I would have given that money to charity," added the Briton.

McLaren boss Andrea Stella said his team, runaway leaders in the constructors' standings after six wins from eight of 24 rounds, had always considered the 'game-changer' talk to be overblown: "The technical directive was a big talking point. It was quite immaterial.

"It was always going to be minor when you look at the numbers. It entertained to have this kind of debate but our simulations said everything was very small. We weren't concerned from this point of view," Stella told Sky Sports television.

Max Verstappen finished the day third fastest and said he never thought the TD would have much of an impact anyway: “I mean, if you look at the standings, not a lo. But for my side, that was also not really expected.”

Also quizzed on the technical directive’s impact, Mercedes driver Russell sarcastically quipped that it had “clearly” impacted McLaren’s pace.