Well, since you dug up this old thread I will report the following. We have had wing discussions many times. We have even insulted each other's wings...ironing board, skate board etc. I attended a mtg of the design engineers last year who gave a nice presentation about the cars. I asked about the wings, and the wings were designed to all give similar numbers of downforce. I also asked about the splash shield under the car since I had removed mine. They also have a role to play on keeping the car glued to the road. I have since re-installed my splash shield and will keep my ironing board....