P1racenews AI automatic summary:
‘Sacrificial’ skid blocks are understood to be at the heart of 2024 Formula 1 season’s latest technical controversy. Ben Anderson explains the trick and has more details of which teams have had to make changes
In the current ground effect Formula 1 era, maximizing aerodynamic performance at lower ride heights is the key focus due to the benefits it offers. However, hitting the hard limit of the ground and the legality plank underneath the car poses a challenge, leading to controversial situations such as in the 2024 F1 season. Teams like Mercedes and Ferrari have faced exclusion from races due to issues with excessive wear in this area. The FIA measures legality using designated holes in four places, including the front and rear of the plank, as well as skid blocks that replace the plank material at these points. Teams are now adjusting their skid blocks for compliance, potentially needing to raise the car’s ride height to prevent excessive wear on exposed material. While adjustments are being made by teams like Ferrari, Red Bull, and Mercedes, some outfits like Haas and Alpine have had to make changes to their plank designs to adhere to the new regulations. RB racing director Alan Permane mentioned that his team remained unaffected, indicating potential minimal impact on competitive performance.
