Technical Directive: FIA bans with immediate effect special protective plates installed over skid blocks

[hollus]

This picture from Marca (https://www.marca.com/motor/formula1/gp ... b4576.html):

Shows what they claim is one of these now banned titanium protections for the plank, that metal bracket at the front. It is hard to imagine any role other for that other than protecting the plank.

[dialtone]

This picture from Marca (https://www.marca.com/motor/formula1/gp ... b4576.html):
https://phantom-marca.unidadeditorial.e ... 712441.jpg
Shows what they claim is one of these now banned titanium protections for the plank, that metal bracket at the front. It is hard to imagine any role other for that other than protecting the plank.

I only see a metal cover for the blade edge of the tray that is needed to avoid chipping that area on impacts but is not part of the plank.

Could you highlight what area you are thinking of?

[chrisc90]

This picture from Marca (https://www.marca.com/motor/formula1/gp ... b4576.html):
https://phantom-marca.unidadeditorial.e ... 712441.jpg
Shows what they claim is one of these now banned titanium protections for the plank, that metal bracket at the front. It is hard to imagine any role other for that other than protecting the plank.

I only see a metal cover for the blade edge of the tray that is needed to avoid chipping that area on impacts but is not part of the plank.

Could you highlight what area you are thinking of?

That would work in the same sort of fashion though wouldnt it? Make a little cover that sits infront the plank, but make it 1-2mm 'deeper' than the plank height. Run low - front cover scrubs along the floor, protecting the front of the plank.

[hollus]

Isn't the plank supposed to protrude from the rest of the floor? So what needs protection against chipping on impact? Only the plank should be touching the asphalt. Oh, wait!

[Vanja #66]

An explanation I saw somewhere said there were additional skid blocks used elsewhere on the plank than around measuring holes. The issue was with them apparently, new TD states they are no longer allowed in any condition. So all of the 8 teams that had such a design had to rework their planks a week before th GP

[Farnborough]

My interpretation, from the words used by CH interview, is that some form of "proud" fixings were being used variously in critical position to protect initially the wear the plank reference areas experience through usage.

In effect, a final fit before critical track use could involve those extended ? fixings, with extraneous material taking the brunt of initial wear, while protecting the inevitable touching of reference plane that can wear later in the race.

Given the scenario of full tank running being initially protected, they could then set lower start height dimension with less risk of failing or passing final and post race inspection.