FIA to test steel skid blocks in Spain: less fire risk, more team worries. F1 teams to test heavier steel skid blocks in Spain amid fire concerns.

New skid blocks will be tested in Spain following the controversy that arose in Japan after grass fires were caused by sparks from the skid blocks mounted underneath the cars.

In the final year of the current ground-effect car regulations, teams have pushed vehicle performance to the limit, managing to run the cars closer than ever to the track surface.

Lower ride heights naturally increase the risk of the car’s floor striking the asphalt, generating the sparks we frequently see. These high-temperature sparks caused several fires during the Japanese GP, raising concerns within the FIA.

After discarding the idea of wetting the grass or treating it with fire-resistant chemicals, the FIA chose a different route: instead of altering circuit layouts, it decided to modify the plank material installed beneath the cars.

The idea, which will be tested by teams in Spain, involves using a new steel plank instead of the current titanium one.

Why a steel skid block?
The reason is simple: a steel plank generates cooler sparks, thereby reducing the likelihood of fires. However, this solution has already drawn strong criticism.
While it does produce “cooler” sparks, steel is about 750 grams heavier and wears out more quickly. This presents a major issue for teams, who would be forced to further raise their cars’ ride heights, compromising performance.

The FIA test will take place only on Friday of the Spanish GP weekend. If the results are positive, the new steel plank could become mandatory. However, the requirement will not apply to all circuits, only to those with grassy areas close to the track surface. If confirmed, this change would be yet another twist in the championship. Teams would have to learn how to manage a new plank that behaves differently from the previous titanium one.
Many will have to deal with the issues linked to the steel plank’s extra weight and at the same time address the new ride heights required by the new skid block.

We know very well how much, in the modern era of Formula 1, ride height affects overall car performance. It will therefore be interesting to see how this situation develops.