The FIA ​​published a technical directive ahead of Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix after Red Bull complained, rival teams were taking advantage of a loophole in the regulations protecting excessive board wear.

In the era of ground effect in F1, ride height is a performance-defining setup metric, with the height at which a team can run a car significantly affecting its performance.

However, the rules provide for a 1mm wear allowance on the floorboard with four holes around the board measured by the FIA ​​to ensure compliance with the regulations.

Teams are allowed to use metal pads around areas where they perceive the most wear, in order to preserve the board.

Furthermore, a previous technical directive, according to a report from the Motorsport allowed teams to use satellite support pads on the board further away from the four FIA-inspected measuring holes.

It is said that these satellite skids were considered legal “provided they had the same vertical rigidity as the main skids”, with no mention of thickness.

Ferrari among F1 teams affected by new technical directive

Reportedly, several teams exploited the fact that thickness was not listed in the outdated satellite skid guideline.

In turn, these teams, which include the title-chasing F1 constructors Ferrarihave increased the thickness of these support pads to protect the main ones.

With the increased thickness of the support pads, teams could effectively lower the cars and improve performance without fear of wearing out the board.

Red Bull disputed this and alerted the FIA ​​in Brazil when the investigation concluded. Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The FIA ​​heeded Red Bull’s concerns and issued a new technical directive banning satellite support pads.

From now on, manufacturers like Ferrari will have to pay particular attention to ride height, to ensure they don’t excessively wear the floorboards of their F1 machines and break regulations.

A significant performance disadvantage could arise as these teams would essentially be forced to use a higher ride height.

The move is the second response from the FIA ​​following Red Bull’s concerns raised in Brazil.

The first was the fear that teams would use water injection methods to cool tires and improve thermal management.

However, unlike the plank skidding phenomenon, upon investigation the FIA ​​found no evidence to support Red Bull’s claims that foul play was underway regarding the injection of water into the tires.

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