A team suspected of tampering with its floor in the Parc Fermé
Discussions would have taken place between several teams and the FIA concerning the use by a team of its floor in the Parc Fermé between qualifying and races. Without formal evidence, the governing body has decided to take action as early as this weekend in Austin.
At the dawn of the United States Grand Prix, a technical controversy erupts around a possible manipulation of the underbody of a team’s single-seaters in the Parc Fermé. Suspicions of a potential illicit adjustment of the ride height have led the FIA to take immediate measures, as indicated by one of its representatives to several media outlets, including Autosport and PlanetF1.
These concerns relate to changes in the ride height of the front part of the floor between qualifying and the race in the Parc Fermé, which would offer a significant advantage. Such an adjustment would optimize performance for a light car in qualifying and a heavier configuration in the race. However, this practice would contravene the strict technical rules of F1, which prohibit any aerodynamic modification after the cars enter the Parc Fermé, except for the front wing.
A violation of the regulations
Discussions took place between several teams and the FIA after suspicions intensified about a team whose identity has not been revealed. It is accused of having designed a clever system to adjust the ground clearance of the “T-tray” (front bib) via internal cockpit adjustments. A mechanic could theoretically make this modification without being detected by external observers, exploiting a loophole during checks after qualifying sessions.
Article 40.2 of the technical regulations stipulates that only adjustments to the front wing are allowed: « The aerodynamic adjustment of the front wing can be made using existing parts. No part can be added, removed, or replaced ». Article 40.9 adds: « A competitor may not modify any part of the car, no other part may be modified without the use of tools ». In response to these concerns, the FIA has warned teams that all car designs must be available on shared servers to ensure transparency.
An immediate reaction from the FIA.
Although the FIA claims to have no tangible evidence of the use of this system, it has decided to immediately introduce new verification procedures in Austin. This could include the installation of seals on the components concerned to prevent any unauthorized adjustments. An FIA spokesperson told different sources: « Any adjustment of the front wing flap clearance in the Parc Fermé is strictly prohibited by the regulations. »
Although we have not received any indication from a team using such a system, the FIA remains vigilant in its ongoing efforts to improve sport control, he added. In this context, we have implemented procedural adjustments to ensure that the clearance of the front bib cannot be easily modified. In some cases, this may involve the application of a seal to provide additional assurance of compliance.
This controversy comes in a suspenseful end of season where the gaps between the various rivals are minimal. The FIA, while ensuring it has detected no abuse, remains vigilant to ensure fairness in the championship.
Read also: Les rôles de la FIA dans le championnat du monde de Formule 1
