Ferrari, Mercedes and Alpine F1 have confirmed they have changed the configuration of their cars' floors in response to an FIA directive issued ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Some rival teams are also said to have modified their floors to comply with the directive which involves the use of pads to reduce wear on the floorboards under their cars.
Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur said the sport's governing body had indicated their floor was in compliance with regulations before the new directive. He said the interpretation offered by the new technical directive was particular.
“Yes, we had to make a change, but we also had confirmation before that that the board was legal, from the FIA.
Ferrari heads into the final three races with a chance to win its first championship in 16 years. They are 36 points behind McLaren in the constructors' championship. Vasseur said he didn't want the team to be distracted by an argument over compliance.
“I think it was the right attitude for us not to fight because I want to stay focused on the championship and not on this kind of discussion. But the approach was strange.”
Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed that “we also had to change the way we use the flat bottom” before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Finally Oliver Oakes confirmed “a little change” on this side for the Alpine F1 A524.
