Fred Vasseur admits Ferrari opted against challenging FIA's "strange" new floor ruling
Today at 01:37 AM
Ferrari, Mercedes, and Alpine have confirmed that they adjusted the configuration of their cars' floors following an FIA directive issued ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend at the 6.2-kilometre Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada. The directive addressed the use of supporting skid blocks designed to minimize wear on the floor planks of the cars.
Other teams are also believed to have made similar modifications to ensure compliance with the updated regulations. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur revealed that the FIA had previously deemed Ferrari's floor to be within the rules before the new directive was introduced. Fred Vasseur described the FIA’s revised interpretation as unusual, noting that the team had contemplated disputing it: "Yes, we had to make a change, but we had also the confirmation before this that the plank was legal, from the FIA," the French manager confirmed.
Ferrari enters the final stretch of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign with an opportunity to secure their first championship title in 16 years. The Maranello team currently trails McLaren by 36 points in the constructors' standings. Team principal Frederic Vasseur emphasized the importance of staying focused on the competition and avoiding distractions stemming from debates over regulatory compliance: "I think it was the right attitude for us not to fight because I want to stay focussed on the championship and not on this kind of a discussion. But the approach was strange." – the Ferrari team principal added.
The Maranello team has announced a series of updates to the floor of its SF-24 this weekend, emphasizing that these modifications are not tailored to the specific demands of the event. The revisions include alterations to the fences at the front of the floor, adjustments to the main body, and modifications to the floor edges, reflecting a broader development strategy rather than race-specific tuning.
In its pre-race submission to the FIA the Italian side explained said the update "features reworked front floor fences targeting an improvement of the losses travelling downstream. The front floor body volume has subsequently reoptimised, together with the floor edge loading and vortex shedding into the diffuser," it added.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that the team had to adjust its floor setup in preparation for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, following the FIA’s latest directive. He referenced George Russell’s earlier disappointment at the Belgian Grand Prix, where George Russell was stripped of his victory after his car's plank was deemed to have excessive wear, highlighting the critical importance of adhering to floor-related regulations.
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