Illegal skid block tricks discovered

[Badger]

People actually believe that the FIA dropped a potentially crucial TD at the end of a season like this and not ONE single reputable outlet has reported on it? That should be enough to alert the reasonable observer that there is something not right with this story. The paddock is a sieve, this kind of thing supposedly involving multiple teams and the FIA doesn't just happen without something coming out in the mainstream F1 media. The whole story is phony, The-Race confirmed as much.

[langedweil]

As for temperature control, the-race mentioned in the same article the insane heat in the McL cockpit which apparently in Pia's case has even caused his seat needs covering with gold shielding.
Why is his butt heated up some much, and could that in any way be somehow a part of their cooling mechanism; not only the car and PU and electrics, but perhaps even the tires !?
Seems extremly farfetched ... but still

[AR3-GP]

I'm surprised that no one shared this yet?

The first thing that can be discounted is some wild rumours that emerged after the Brazilian Grand Prix that the FIA had discovered tricks being done by teams.

Stories suggested that this involved an unspecified number of competitors using expanding titanium skid blocks that would run lower to the ground to help protect the plank.

It sounded like a nice theory, but it was one that was scoffed at by both engineers in the pitlane and the FIA – because the tactic was the complete opposite of what is needed.

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/what ... dsq-shock/

/end

[Badger]

I'm surprised that no one shared this yet?

The first thing that can be discounted is some wild rumours that emerged after the Brazilian Grand Prix that the FIA had discovered tricks being done by teams.

Stories suggested that this involved an unspecified number of competitors using expanding titanium skid blocks that would run lower to the ground to help protect the plank.

It sounded like a nice theory, but it was one that was scoffed at by both engineers in the pitlane and the FIA – because the tactic was the complete opposite of what is needed.

https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/what ... dsq-shock/

/end

I did. Page 5.

[basti313]

I fail to find floor pictures of the current McL floor, only last season.
Last season McL had skids round the measurement hole, so the skids were measured. But I do not know if the picture is from before Miami.
Does anyone find a current picture?

[search]

I fail to find floor pictures of the current McL floor, only last season.
Last season McL had skids round the measurement hole, so the skids were measured. But I do not know if the picture is from before Miami.
Does anyone find a current picture?

there are some from Canada. Not perfect, but you can get an idea

https://img.blick.ch/incoming/20964106- ... EE&x=0&y=0

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam ... ILjEc.jpeg

[Sergej]

according to AutoRacer guys no TD was issued in Brazil

[Vettel165]

McLaren may have been one of the teams that used “skid blocks” to artificially protect the car’s floor.
According to the Japanese outlet as-web.jp, the FIA has been investigating since the Brazilian GP whether teams have been manipulating their floors. Apparently, several teams are said to be using so-called skid blocks that expand when heated and thus protect the floor.

The expanded skid block reduces wear on the floor, allowing teams to run the car lower without risking disqualification. The lower the car runs, the more downforce it has, and the better the lap times.

The FIA was alerted by rival teams in Brazil that some cars were running incredibly low ride heights, yet the expected abrasion on the floor was missing.

As a result, FIA technical chief Jo Bauer inspected several cars in Interlagos and discovered components that artificially heated the skid blocks. The FIA ordered these elements to be removed immediately before qualifying, which could also explain why some teams — including McLaren — showed significant performance differences between the Sprint and qualifying.

Without the skid blocks, teams cannot run as low, because the floor plank would wear down too much. But this is exactly what happened to McLaren in Las Vegas. This circumstance suggests that the papaya-colored cars may also have used such an aid earlier.

The big question will Mclaren perfomance drop now after Las Vegas because of this?

[bluechris]

The big question will Mclaren perfomance drop now after Las Vegas because of this?

We thought the same after the flexy wings saga but nothing huppened, maybe this time its different.

[clownfish]

Apparently, several teams are said to be using so-called skid blocks that expand when heated and thus protect the floor.

The expanded skid block reduces wear on the floor, allowing teams to run the car lower without risking disqualification. The lower the car runs, the more downforce it has, and the better the lap times.

As "The Race" article pointed out, the skids themselves are measured after the race, therefore little value in wearing them preferentially before the plank.

[Farnborough]

McLaren may have been one of the teams that used “skid blocks” to artificially protect the car’s floor.
According to the Japanese outlet as-web.jp, the FIA has been investigating since the Brazilian GP whether teams have been manipulating their floors. Apparently, several teams are said to be using so-called skid blocks that expand when heated and thus protect the floor.

The expanded skid block reduces wear on the floor, allowing teams to run the car lower without risking disqualification. The lower the car runs, the more downforce it has, and the better the lap times.

The FIA was alerted by rival teams in Brazil that some cars were running incredibly low ride heights, yet the expected abrasion on the floor was missing.

As a result, FIA technical chief Jo Bauer inspected several cars in Interlagos and discovered components that artificially heated the skid blocks. The FIA ordered these elements to be removed immediately before qualifying, which could also explain why some teams — including McLaren — showed significant performance differences between the Sprint and qualifying.

Without the skid blocks, teams cannot run as low, because the floor plank would wear down too much. But this is exactly what happened to McLaren in Las Vegas. This circumstance suggests that the papaya-colored cars may also have used such an aid earlier.

The big question will Mclaren perfomance drop now after Las Vegas because of this?

There doesn't appear to be any real evidence to back that up, no factual reference it seems. As already mentioned by others in this thread, it looks to be something of false / speculative report from that source.

The teams, all of them, are of course focused on absolutely running minimal height they can get away with. Weve seen the effect at Ferrari with lifting etc to cope with this after their own exclusion earlier.

The FIA seem keen to push the fact they are checking diligently, with strict application to any infringement. Nobody will want this involved in end of season results.

Each team must be realistic in applying themselves to setup, if they want to keep their points etc. It will likely impact some for pace.

The writing on the wall is now LOUD & CLEAR there's no way out in mitigation logically. Its either comply or be embarrassed.

[search]

in Austrian TV, Wurz said that the McLaren cars were checked earlier after the race than usual, potentially going back to rumors he heard about other teams pushing the FIA to have a closer look.

I guess it could also have happened because of the long upcoming travel to Qatar, though. And the fact that the McLaren was illegal also in the later validation check speaks against heat playing much of a part as well.

[Big Tea]

in Austrian TV, Wurz said that the McLaren cars were checked earlier after the race than usual, potentially going back to rumors he heard about other teams pushing the FIA to have a closer look.

I guess it could also have happened because of the long upcoming travel to Qatar, though. And the fact that the McLaren was illegal also in the later validation check speaks against heat playing much of a part as well.

One of the talking heads, don't recall which one, said they were concerned they would not get a fuel sample after the radio calls so hot foot over to McLaren to get the result as soon as possible. No doubt they considered other things at the same time, but it sounds like being able to get 1ltr of fuel was the main reason for the haste

[karana]

in Austrian TV, Wurz said that the McLaren cars were checked earlier after the race than usual, potentially going back to rumors he heard about other teams pushing the FIA to have a closer look.

I guess it could also have happened because of the long upcoming travel to Qatar, though. And the fact that the McLaren was illegal also in the later validation check speaks against heat playing much of a part as well.

Would a hotter skid not be thicker? So if anything, checking as early as possible should have helped McLaren.

[Emag]

I am typically suspicious of rumors like these, because they have such significant implications, there is no way you don't get a public statement by the other teams in the paddock. When there is actually something going on, you always get a response from the paddock. Curious to know where the rumors came out from though.

As for the LV debacle, I didn't think it proved anything about the supposed TD at Brazil because the reaction from McLaren made no sense if that were the case. It would be extremely suspicious if they suddenly lost a lot of pace by being forced to raise the car. However, they run even lower than they've ever run before and get a double DSQ in the heat of a championship battle. Sparking like crazy in the race, it was rather obvious what had happened. A catastrophic setup blunder.

What I do believe though, is what some other people are saying about McLaren presumably running on the edge of plank wear since Mexico (backed up by data as well). Particularly on Lando's side. I believe they started playing with the margins because the RedBull Monza upgrade was huge and they lost out whatever edge they had in qualifying. With track position being so critical this season, it's not hard to believe they decided to go a little bit more extreme to get some one-lap pace, with the compromise of a race that would need some management in terms of plank wear.

In retrospect, although I initially believed it to be some tire bullsh*t, it could explain the "drop off" Lando had in Brazil on the last stint as well. Perhaps counter measures to deal with plank wear? The fact that Lando seemed totally unsurprised about it during the Las Vegas race itself boosts this theory as well. It seems like he knew what was going on. In fact, he was retroactively trying to mitigate it by asking the team input on whether or not he could push.