Formula 1 surprised the teams by banning protective elements on the “non-slip pads” under the single-seaters of 2024.
In the new ground effect zone, riding as close to the track as possible is an advantage – but the risk is that the wooden floor wears so much that it becomes illegal.
Many teams have come up with special protection solutions. And almost half of the teams thought they had found a loophole in the regulations with a different design of these pads which cause the famous showers of sparks.
But Red Bull has filed a complaint with the FIA against rivals including Ferrari, Mercedes and Haas F1, and warned protests could be lodged if the governing body does not act.
A week before the Las Vegas GP, all teams received a technical directive by mail. The FIA announced that the protective pads in question were not authorized.”
Ferrari would have liked to move the ban to the Qatar Grand Prix, but could not get their way.
The move could force teams like Ferrari to run their cars higher in the season's three remaining Grands Prix, resulting in a loss of performance.
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