Sometimes they adjust the angle of the front wing for better grip during the pitstop since this can't be changed by the driver from the cockpit (aero elements in F1 are strictly regulated) but it is rare in a race.
The only element the driver can activate is the rear flap for rear wing (DRS) that becomes active during special zones on the track for less drag to make overtaking possible.
Worth noting the teams are extremely secretive. It’s not unlikely some teams are using clever tricks like the driver pushing/pulling the steering column to adjust hydraulic pressure, etc.
In the past there were several tricks like the McLaren third pedal which were legal but not in the spirit of the regulations or the traction control system from Benneton which was hidden under a secret menu option.
Recently Mercedes came up with a clever way of how their cars could corner which was legal and activated by pushing/pulling on the steering wheel.
It was banned the next season though - you can be clever but cheating is not allowed - the loss of face - loss of points and money and prestige is severe now.
Since they all use the same control electronics, the FIA gets real time telemetry send to them to watch for any funky tricks and wind tunnel usage time, and activity like in engine mapping modes (no changes allowed when a race starts) or fuel pump manipulation.
They want teams to be at least on a level field so a smaller team has a realistic change of competing and scoring points like HAAS or Williams.
Adjusting front wing angle is standard practice during stops - they’ll certainly do it when they change tyre compound (eg from softer to harder tyres), and they do it quite often otherwise.
> they’ll certainly do it when they change tyre compound
Interesting. I had no idea, I suppose because everything happens so fast during those stops. (the ones that do not involve replacing the wing wholesale, which does take a few seconds.) Of course it makes sense that a different tire compound might benefit from a different amount of downforce.
Sometimes they adjust the angle of the front wing for better grip during the pitstop since this can't be changed by the driver from the cockpit (aero elements in F1 are strictly regulated) but it is rare in a race.
The only element the driver can activate is the rear flap for rear wing (DRS) that becomes active during special zones on the track for less drag to make overtaking possible.