P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The FIA appears to have banned a commonly-used skid block-protecting practice ahead of the Las Vegas Gradn Prix at the behest of Red Bull.
According to reports, the FIA has banned F1 teams from using protective plates over skid blocks after being alerted by Red Bull about the practice. This directive was issued because the governing body deemed the loophole being exploited as illegal. Around half of the grid, including Ferrari, Mercedes, and Haas, had been using this method to safeguard the skid blocks on their cars. Teams were utilizing the fastening screw at the rear of the skid block to cushion and protect the plank. Preserving skid blocks has become crucial in modern F1 due to the importance of ground effects and maintaining low car heights for optimal downforce. Following incidents like Hamilton and Leclerc’s disqualification for violating plank depth rules, the FIA took proactive action before the Las Vegas Grand Prix to ban the practice, despite Ferrari’s desire for a later implementation at the Qatar Grand Prix.
