18 replies to this topic

[ARTGP]

FIA bans skid blocks due to Red Bull hint | AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT

This technical directive is quite something. With immediate effect, the FIA is banning special protective plates that around 50 percent of the teams had fitted over the skid blocks. Red Bull pointed out to the association that this practice is illegal. It's the big issue with the ground effect cars. How deep can I drive without the skid blocks in the underbody wearing out too much due to contact with the road surface? The critical value for the screws that fix the floor panel to the car is one millimeter. Anyone who exceeds this will be disqualified, as Mercedes and Ferrari did at the 2023 US GP.

Because the downforce of the cars is heavily dependent on the height of the vehicle, the teams have come up with every conceivable trick over the last three years to protect the fastening screws as well as possible. They have experimented with insulating material between the base plate or with bolts that have a certain amount of play to cushion the impact from the track.

Red Bull discovered the trick first

The latest trick was to provide the skid-blocks, which are used for measurement by the FIA inspectors, with special protection. This applies above all to the fastening screw in the rear area of the base plate. Everyone wants to drive as low as possible in order to gain downforce. Around 50 percent of the field believed they had found a loophole in the regulations. Red Bull was the first to discover the so-called protection skids among the competition. These are said to include Ferrari, Mercedes and Haas. World Championship opponents McLaren, on the other hand, like Red Bull, did without this practice. 

What are the consequences of the ban?

Red Bull pointed out to the FIA that the trick was illegal if the rules were applied precisely and that a protest would have to be expected if there was no clarification on this issue. And this came promptly. A week before the Las Vegas GP, all teams received a letter. In a technical directive, the FIA announced that the protective skids in question were not permitted. This assessment applies with immediate effect. Ferrari would have liked to move the date to the Qatar GP, but were unable to get their way. The teams affected now have a problem that is all the greater when the aerodynamics are specifically designed for extremely low ground clearance. Because no one can risk the skid blocks rubbing off too much, the relevant teams have to raise their vehicle height to a safe level. And that could cost one or the other a lap time.

 

 

Ferrari, Mercedes, and Haas have been named as having to change their floors.  Red Bull and Mclaren did not use it. 

Edited by ARTGP, Today, 06:51.

[Okyo]

If I'd make a stab at it, I'd say RedBull used it up until the point where they have secured the WDC and then blew the lid off to compromise the rest of the field. Seeing how close still they are to Ferrari, this timing is absurdly right to make gains for the WCC 2nd place.  

Well played and go to **** if it works. 

Edited by Okyo, Today, 07:01.

[P123]

Blessing in disguise for Merc, given they appear to have veered back to their mantra of 2022 of running the car as low as possible, and as a consequence having to have a brick. 

 

I don't think it's just been discovered by Red Bull given how many have been doing it.  More so they have argued a point in the regs and noted what they would protest on, and the FIA have accepted their view.  Like countless times with teams up and down the grid in the past. 

[brucewayne]

Funny how fast the FIA reacts when it’s possibly against Ferrari.

[Muppetmad]

How very tedious.

[Heyli]

I dont understand it. I'm not sure how any special protection can fall under a loophole, but I'm sure some more detailed explanation or theory will come out soon. 

[Garagista]

Funny how fast the FIA reacts when it’s possibly against Ferrari.

 

It is astonishing, Wings bending, opening "mini-DRS" in front of all our eyes, and they had to install dots and things to "control" it, this is an immediate TD. Most efficient organization in the World when is to ban Ferrari things

[brucewayne]

I dont understand it. I'm not sure how any special protection can fall under a loophole, but I'm sure some more detailed explanation or theory will come out soon.

Wait and see, recently the reporting is more speculative. Not sure anyone knows anything. Nevertheless, it’s time for Ferrari to stop being gentle to other teams, as the others are clearly not.

Edited by brucewayne, Today, 08:20.

[Okyo]

I dont understand it. I'm not sure how any special protection can fall under a loophole, but I'm sure some more detailed explanation or theory will come out soon. 

The article is very very lacking in describing it coherently. It states it's a very conceivable trick, yet later it's describing like a protection that goes over the the skid blocks. How the hell can you hide that? Really need more info on it. It being reported by a single outlet is rather odd as well. 

Edited by Okyo, Today, 08:22.

[baddog]

If I'd make a stab at it, I'd say RedBull used it up until the point where they have secured the WDC and then blew the lid off to compromise the rest of the field. Seeing how close still they are to Ferrari, this timing is absurdly right to make gains for the WCC 2nd place.  

Well played and go to **** if it works. 

 

Seems like wishful thinking on your part? Its 'your guys' who are being told to stop it and you don't like that so it must really be RBR who did it? I mean if you have a reason beyond that lets hear it.

[Kulturen]

It's hilarious isn't it? I was going to post that "even though now it's RedBull that made the call that other teams are doing something dodgy, watch people somehow still claim it's redbull being the evil cheaters which is their standard perl clutching reaction every time it's redbull pushing the envelope"

 

And it took literally ONE REPLY in the thread for that to happen 

[Okyo]

Seems like wishful thinking on your part? Its 'your guys' who are being told to stop it and you don't like that so it must really be RBR who did it? I mean if you have a reason beyond that lets hear it.

"If I'd make a stab at it" means I'm doing a guess so it's not like i have to provide proof. They could have used the loop hole themselves, or not, who knows. I don't even care about if they did or didn't use it, main point of the whole post was the strategic use of timing to blow the lid and call foul. You allow Ferrari to take away points from McLaren, which secures the WDC. Then you sabotage them so you could possibly get them in the WCC with 3 races to go. 

Me saying "well played" and "go to hell" was fully due to that. 

Edited by Okyo, Today, 08:52.

[JBJ]

It's hilarious isn't it? I was going to post that "even though now it's RedBull that made the call that other teams are doing something dodgy, watch people somehow still claim it's redbull being the evil cheaters which is their standard perl clutching reaction every time it's redbull pushing the envelope"

 

And it took literally ONE REPLY in the thread for that to happen 

  You beat me to it with this reply 

[Okyo]

It's hilarious isn't it? I was going to post that "even though now it's RedBull that made the call that other teams are doing something dodgy, watch people somehow still claim it's redbull being the evil cheaters masterminds which is their standard perl clutching reaction every time it's redbull pushing the envelope"

There you go. Still evil 

Edited by Okyo, Today, 08:56.

[Diablobb81]

I have to question wtf FIA is doing if they didn't catch such a trick and allowed teams to use it.

[Chillimeister]

Funny how fast the FIA reacts when it’s possibly against Ferrari.

 

Why not wait until practice to see which cars might have been affected? I wouldn't be surprised if McLaren were one as well.

[brucewayne]

Why not wait until practice to see which cars might have been affected? I wouldn't be surprised if McLaren were one as well.

Tombazis needs to get fired for handling all these topics this year, he is not up to the task.

[brucewayne]

I have to question wtf FIA is doing if they didn't catch such a trick and allowed teams to use it.

Could be more like the none story of the RB device a couple of weeks ago.

Nevertheless, the fight for 2025 starts officially now. Ferrari needs to be more ruthless.

Edited by brucewayne, Today, 09:25.

[PayasYouRace]

So if I’m understanding it right, it’s a method to stop the plank wearing?

All seems like a storm in a teacup, as are most technical controversies nowadays. When was the last time a team was disqualified for having something illegal on their car, or another team protesting a result?