P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 2024 has another technical controversy. Gary Anderson is your guide to skid blocks, giving his take on the new technical directive and asking whether it will really tackle the problem of cars bottoming out
The 2024 Formula 1 season is facing technical controversies, with a recent technical directive regarding skids attached to cars causing significant changes among teams such as Red Bull, Ferrari, and Mercedes before the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Gary Anderson, a former F1 technical director, sheds light on how teams have been exploiting skid regulations and suggests a solution to prevent cars from bottoming out. The technical directive focuses on the underfloor skid blocks, with specific thickness checks on the front and rear skids to ensure compliance with regulations. Teams have historically placed extra skids strategically to protect the mandatory plank wear area, prompting the FIA to redefine the rules and positions for skids. Anderson advocates for a simpler solution to address the bottoming out issue by revisiting the regulations on plank mountings, highlighting the continuous evolution and complexity of F1 rules over the years. The ongoing saga underscores the perennial nature of teams pushing boundaries within the sport’s regulations to gain competitive advantages.
