FIA intervenes after F1 team suspected of illegal trick

The FIA is set to clamp down on a potential exploitation of parc ferme rules, starting at the United States Grand Prix in Austin this weekend.

There are growing concerns that an unnamed F1 team has been adjusting the ride height of its cars between qualifying and the grand prix, in clear breach of the F1 technical regulations.

Autosport first reported that suspicions have developed around a certain team and that conversations between a number of its competitors and the FIA have taken place over recent weeks. It is not known which teams may or may not be involved in those discussions.

Specifically, it is believed the accused team has been altering the clearance of the front bib, or T-tray as it is known.

Being able to raise or lower the part can have a significant benefit, even if it is by just a small amount. It allows the team in question to tailor the ride height of its cars for single-lap performance during low-fuel runs in qualifying and then also fulfil the ideal requirements of a heavier race-trim set-up.

This would, however, be a clear breach of the F1 technical regulations, which prohibit aerodynamic alterations under parc ferme conditions, aside from changes to the front wing.

The relevant clause, Article 40.2, says: “The aerodynamic set up of the front wing may be adjusted using the existing parts. No parts may be added, removed or replaced" and is supplemented by Article 40.9, which states that no part of the car can be modified.

The technical regulations also make it clear that it must be evident from physical checks that changes cannot be done without use of tools.

The issue has come to the fore due to it being believed the unnamed team may have cleverly designed its car to make any such adjustments possible through changing settings from inside the cockpit of the car, as opposed to physically altering the front bib from the outside.

For example, it would allow a mechanic to carry out the tweaks during preparation for the grand prix, which is commonplace and part of the checks that are carried out prior to the race start. It would also be impossible for rivals or the FIA to detect.

With the potential for any such adjustments having first come to light due to all teams being required to share design details of their cars on components that are open source - which all teams have equal access to - the FIA has decided to act.

The F1 governing body has made it clear that there has thus far been no conclusive evidence of a rule breach. However, to quell the concerns of the teams it has been in conversation with, changes to the parc ferme procedures will be carried out.

How this will occur is not yet confirmed, but it could involve using seals on devices than can be used to make amendments to the part in question.

An FIA spokesperson has said: “Any adjustment to the front bib clearance during parc ferme conditions is strictly prohibited by the regulations.

“While we have not received any indication of any team employing such a system, the FIA remains vigilant in our ongoing efforts to enhance the policing of the sport.

“As part of this, we have implemented procedural adjustments to ensure that front bib clearance cannot be easily modified.

“In some cases, this may involve the application of a seal to provide further assurance of compliance.”