FIA clamps down on plank loophole after Red Bull complaint

The FIA has issued a pivotal Technical Directive to F1 teams ahead of this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, addressing a regulatory loophole surrounding excessive plank wear.

The move follows a complaint from Red Bull, which claimed that some rival teams, including Ferrari, were using innovative methods to circumvent the rules and gain a performance advantage.

This immediate crackdown, which targets the use of "satellite skids" designed to protect the plank, could significantly impact car setups, with teams now forced to rethink their ride heights to avoid breaching the rules.

Formula 1’s current ground-effect regulations encourage teams to run their cars as close to the ground as possible, maximizing aerodynamic downforce.

However, this low ride height leads to excessive wear on the floor plank, which must remain within the FIA’s tolerance of 1mm wear to be legal.

To mitigate this wear, teams are allowed to install metal skid blocks around specific measuring points on the plank. A previous Technical Directive went a step further, allowing for "satellite skids" placed away from these points to offer additional protection.

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These skids were meant to match the vertical stiffness of the main skids, but no specific thickness was mandated. Ferrari and other teams are believed to have exploited this oversight by using thicker skids, effectively shielding the plank and allowing them to run their cars lower to the ground without breaching wear limits.

Following the Brazilian Grand Prix, Red Bull formally raised the issue with the FIA, arguing that these enhanced skids provided an unfair advantage. While McLaren chose not to adopt such measures, Ferrari and others were deemed to have pushed the limits of the regulation.

The FIA acknowledged Red Bull’s concerns and acted swiftly, issuing the new Technical Directive with immediate effect, starting at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The updated Technical Directive eliminates the allowance for additional protective skids entirely. This forces teams to rely solely on the main skids for plank preservation, thereby removing any potential benefit from the controversial satellite skids.

Without this added protection, teams will need to raise their ride heights to prevent excessive plank wear, a move that could cost them valuable lap time.

The adjustment is expected to impact teams by approximately half a tenth to a quarter of a tenth per lap, a potentially decisive factor in Formula 1’s fiercely competitive grid.

The FIA’s decision to enforce this directive immediately underscores the governing body’s commitment to fairness and consistency.

Allowing the loophole to persist through the final races could have further skewed competition in a season already dominated by tight battles among Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren.

As the season edges toward its conclusion, this TD could also serve as a preview of stricter enforcement heading into 2024, ensuring a more level playing field among Formula 1’s top teams.

The ruling highlights the constant cat-and-mouse game between Formula 1 teams and the FIA. With championships hanging in the balance, every technical detail carries significant weight.

The governing body’s swift action demonstrates their commitment to maintaining a level playing field while ensuring all teams adhere to the spirit of the regulations.

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