Breaking: Ferrari face performance drop after illegal component ban following Red Bull com…read more
Ferrari face performance drop after illegal component ban following Red Bull com…read more
As the Formula 1 season enters its final three races, competition is fierce among the top teams. McLaren leads the Constructors’ Championship with 593 points, followed closely by Ferrari with 557 points. Red Bull, the defending champions, trail by another 13 points. In such a tight battle, even small performance changes can have a significant impact.
In addition to improving their own cars, teams often focus on hampering their rivals’ progress. One common tactic involves lodging complaints with the FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, to challenge the legality of specific components on competitors’ vehicles. In a recent development, Red Bull succeeded in having a key Ferrari component banned, potentially affecting their closest rival’s performance as the grid heads to the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Controversial Floor Component
According to reports from Auto Motor und Sport, Red Bull raised concerns over a “special protection” used by Ferrari and several other teams. This device was placed between the fastening screws and the floor plate on the underside of their cars. Red Bull argued that this protection, designed to minimize floor wear, was illegal under FIA regulations. The governing body agreed, issuing a directive ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix that such protective measures must be removed. Ferrari appealed for the ruling to take effect after the Las Vegas race but was denied.
The protective layer in question allowed Ferrari to lower their cars closer to the ground without excessive floor damage. This gave them a significant aerodynamic advantage by maximizing ground effect—a principle where a tight seal between the car’s underside and the track boosts downforce. However, with the ban in place, Ferrari must now raise their car’s ride height to prevent excessive wear, sacrificing some of their performance.
Impact on Ferrari
The ban is particularly significant for Ferrari, whose struggles with floor durability became evident after the 2023 United States Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc, one of Ferrari’s drivers, was disqualified from that race due to excessive floor wear, as was Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton.
With their cars now forced to run higher, Ferrari faces a potential drop in competitiveness at a critical juncture in the championship. While McLaren and Red Bull will look to capitalize, Ferrari must quickly adapt to this setback as the season reaches its dramatic conclusion.
As the Constructors’ Championship nears its end, this ruling could prove pivotal in determining the final standings.
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