F1 chiefs ‘clamp down’ on issue teams have ‘pushed boundaries on’
Max Verstappen sent offer to quit Red Bull and join F1 rival keen to be his team-mate
Formula One teams have been sent a clear warning after the motorsport’s governing body took action to stamp out what it believes to be possible rule-bending deployed to achieve better aerodynamic performance. The FIA have been examining flexible wings during the first half of the season and bosses believe that teams have been ‘pushing the boundaries’ of what is deemed acceptable in order to gain an advantage.
According to motorsport.com, several teams, including Aston Martin, were advises to make changes to their front-wing designs around the time of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in an effort to ensure that no car breached strict rules.
But now the FIA have issued a formal technical directive, detailing what it believes are unacceptable flexible bodywork designs.
A copy of the latest technical directive (TD018) was sent to all teams ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. The document states that the FIA believes teams are exploiting “regions of purposely design localised compliance” and “relative motion between adjacent components” in order to make their cars more aerodynamic.
The document says that any design that operates in such a manner is in breach of Article Article 3.2.2 of F1’s Technical Regulations, which declares that all parts that effect a car’s aerodynamic performance must be “rigidly secured and immobile with respect to their frame of reference defined in Article 3.3. Furthermore, these components must produce a uniform, solid, hard, continuous, impervious surface under all circumstances.”
F1 bosses have clarified their rules because they believe that savvy teams have been deploying clever systems that rotate front and rear wing components in ways that are not detected by regular load tests.
TD018 says that “assembly designs that exploit localised compliance or degrees of freedom are not permitted.” The FIA have reportedly highlighted to teams four key design breaches that it believes are already being exploited but also suggest that there may be others that are also deemed illegal.
Don’t miss…
F1 podium blunder spotted by eagle-eyed fans at Dutch Grand Prix[MISTAKE]
Christian Horner explains Sergio Perez call that may have stopped him winning[REACTION]
Helmut Marko unimpressed with Sergio Perez as Red Bull star damages 2024 hopes[ANGER]
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
The only exceptions that will now be permitted are in the area of floor assembly, bib bodywork and a small gap to help the sealing of front wing flaps.
Going forward, teams must submit assembly drawings and cross-sections that illustrate the fixation of the front wing to the nose, with similar drawings required for the rear wings.
But rattled F1 teams have been given some time to adopt the new requirements as they will not come into place until the Singapore Grand Prix next month, meaning existing designs could still be used at the Italian GP in Monza this weekend.
Source: Read Full Article