The FIA’s intervention
The F1 weekend in Las Vegas begins with a regulatory controversy. The race, which could mathematically crown Max Verstappen as Drivers’ World Champion and influence the Constructors’ battle between McLaren and Ferrari, will be impacted by a new technical directive issued by the federation and effective from the American weekend: the FIA has banned the use of protective plates above the cars’ floors.
The news was reported by the German website *Auto, Motor und Sport*, which explained that the International Federation was ‘tipped off’ by Red Bull. But what exactly does the ‘trick’ involve that seems to have been used by about half the grid? Teams had the idea of equipping the skid blocks, used by FIA inspectors for measurements, with special protection. This specifically concerns the fixing screw in the rear area of the main plate.
Ferrari and Mercedes also affected
The advantage, of course, lies in being able to run the car closer to the ground, aiming to drive with the vehicle as low as possible without risking disqualification for excessive floor wear, as happened in the US—at the 2023 Austin GP—to Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The regulations allow for a maximum wear of 1 millimeter out of the 10-millimeter thickness of the plank covering the car’s floor.
According to *Auto, Motor und Sport*, the teams affected by the directive include Ferrari, Mercedes, and Haas. All three teams are said to have used this system and will now need to take countermeasures. In contrast, alongside Red Bull, McLaren appears ‘unconcerned’ as they did not use this particular workaround. We’ll see whether and how the closing of this gray area will reshape team performance as the championship draws to a close.
