The FIA has issued a technical directive outlawing the use of protective skids placed above skid blocks on F1 cars, a practice adopted by around half the grid.
This directive, which comes into effect immediately, follows concerns raised by Red Bull, who identified the innovative concept as a breach of existing regulations, first reported by AMuS.
With the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend, the ruling has sent ripples through the paddock, potentially reshaping the competitive order.
In ground-effect cars, maintaining an optimal low ride height is crucial for maximising downforce. However, teams must also ensure compliance with the FIA’s rules, which disqualify cars if the wear on skid block screws exceeds one millimetre.
Over the years, teams have devised numerous methods to minimise wear, from damping materials to flexible screw mounts. The latest innovation involved protective skids, particularly on the rear skid blocks, allowing cars to run lower without excessive wear.
Red Bull first identified these protective skids among competitors such as Ferrari, Mercedes, and Haas.
Notably, Red Bull and McLaren refrained from employing the technique, which they deemed potentially illegal.
Seeking clarity, Red Bull alerted the FIA and signalled their intention to protest if the issue was not addressed.
In response, the FIA confirmed that protective skids contravened the regulations, issuing a directive banning their use effective immediately. Ferrari had lobbied for a delayed implementation but was overruled.
This ruling poses challenges for teams that relied on protective skids to run exceptionally low ride heights.
To avoid the risk of disqualification, these teams must now increase their car height, likely resulting in a loss of performance.
As the grid adapts to this change, teams like Red Bull and McLaren, which avoided using protective skids, stand to benefit.
This decision underlines the ever-present tension between innovation and compliance in Formula 1.
While teams continually push the boundaries of engineering, the FIA’s intervention ensures a level playing field, particularly as the championship heads into one of its most exciting races of the season.
