According to a report, the FIA is set to clamp down hard on parc ferme ride height checks at the United States Grand Prix after an unidentified Formula 1 outfit is believed to have circumvented the technical regulations.
Teams are prohibited from making ride height changes under parc ferme conditions; any ability to do so would provide significant advantages.
Ride height is key to unlocking aerodynamic performance in F1’s ground effect era, and this varies significantly between qualifying and the race due to widely different fuel loads.
However, Autosport reports that the FIA and multiple teams have been engaged in discourse recently over an unnamed party that has potentially found a way to alter the front bib height of its F1 challenger under parc ferme.
The report suggests that a device from within the driver cockpit could be the key to making these alterations, which would be a direct breach of F1 technical regulations.
No significant evidence has been reported to the governing body, but an FIA spokesperson told Autosport that “any adjustment to the front bib clearance during parc ferme conditions is strictly prohibited by the regulations.
“While we have not received any indication of any team employing such a system, the FIA remains vigilant in our ongoing efforts to enhance the policing of the sport.
“As part of this, we have implemented procedural adjustments to ensure that front bib clearance cannot be easily modified.
“In some cases, this may involve the application of a seal to provide further assurance of compliance.”
Stealing an advantage is critical in tight F1 Championship
With six rounds remaining in the 2024 F1 season, competition is tight throughout the pecking order.
McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari are separated by just 75 points in the Constructors’ standings and Lando Norris trails Max Verstappen by just 52 points in the Drivers’ Championship.
Moreover, the fight for sixth in the Constructors’ standings is separated by just three points between RB (34) and Haas (31).
Several teams then could benefit from a ride height altering device in parc ferme, but the regulations on the matter are clear.
According to Article 40.2 of the technical regulations, “the aerodynamic set up of the front wing may be adjusted using the existing parts. No parts may be added, removed or replaced.”
In addition, Article 40.9 states “a competitor may not modify any part on the car.”
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