Ferrari worst affected by Red Bull initiated F1 skid block intervention: Reports

AUTO: NOV 23 F1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix - Source: Getty
Carlos Sainz (55) during the 2024 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Recent reports claim that Ferrari has been affected in the worst manner after the FIA clamped down on the use of satellite skid blocks to protect the underfloor plank. The investigation of these skid blocks was initiated by Red Bull after the Brazilian GP when the team claimed that some teams, particularly Ferrari and Mercedes, were illegally using the skid blocks to run their cars lower than they should be allowed.

Shortly after the 2024 F1 Brazilian GP, the FIA investigated the rulebook and other cars to finally release a technical directive, disallowing the extra wear on these skid blocks. Since many teams found the loophole and were implementing them on their cars, they had to quickly work over the week to fix them before the next race in Las Vegas. Even the smallest extra repairs on cars can put a decent dent in a team's budget.

According to reports from Motorsport.com, Ferrari was one of the teams that took the most hit in terms of performance and budget, particularly because they made the best use of satellite skid blocks.

Speaking during a press conference at the Las Vegas GP, Ferrari team boss Frederic Vasseur explained how the team had to make the changes quickly to comply with the updated rules. Vasseur later admitted that the team took a massive financial hit because they had to rebuild the skids and underfloor plank.

“We had to make the change, but we had also the confirmation before this that the plank was legal, that from the FIA. I think it was the right attitude for us not to fight because I want to stay focused on the championship and not on this kind of discussion. But the approach was strange,” Vasseur said.
“In terms of budget? Yes, a lot, because we had to redo all the skids,” he added.

Fred Vasseur claims Ferrari's subpar performance at Las Vegas was not due to FIA's skid block clampdown

While Frederic Vasseur admitted that Ferrari took a hit after FIA disallowed skid blocks, he claimed that the change in the car's underbody was not the reason for their poor performance at the 2024 F1 Las Vegas GP.

Speaking to the media after the race, he said that the teams received the updated technical directive a week before the race. He then added that the poor on-track performance was due to tire management.

"It's true that the TD came very late because we received the TD last Friday, one week before the quali. This is a bit tough. But it is like it is. It's not an excuse for [the performance in Las Vegas], it's two separate things. I think the issue [in Vegas] was more about tyre management, and so it has nothing to do with this,” Vasseur said.

As of now, Ferrari is second in the constructors' championship with 584 points. Meanwhile, McLaren leads the table with 608 points.

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Edited by Tushhita Barua
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