Ferrari and Mercedes have each confirmed changes have been made to their respective Formula 1 challengers amid a new technical directive instigated by Red Bull.
Red Bull complained to the FIA that teams were exploiting a loophole in the plank wear regulations by using supportive satellite skids.
Ferrari and Mercedes were among the teams alleged to be using the satellite skids and the FIA issued a technical directive outlawing them ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed on Thursday that both their team’s cars have been altered as a result.
Vasseur in admitting Ferrari has made changes, questioned the approach of the technical directive, but refused to be drawn into a technical conflict as his team chases a first Constructors’ title since 2008.
“We had to make a change but we had also the confirmation before this that the plank was legal from the FIA,” Vasseur said.
“I think it was the right attitude for us not to fight. I want to stay focused on the championship, not this type of discussion. But the approach was strange.”
Wolff simply said, “yeah, [Mercedes] had to change the way we run the floor.”
Ferrari’s Senior Performance Engineer Jock Clear told select media including Motorsport Week that “fundamentally, the TD effectively acts as a regulation.
“We all know they’re sort of bolt-ons to a regulation, so for us, we just read the TD and respond to it.
“From what I’ve understood, it’s not been a big drama to deal with whatever we’ve had to deal with.”
Performance loss expected to be minor following plank adjustments
The new technical directive hasn’t just affected teams at the front of the grid but throughout the pecking order.
RB Racing Director Alan Permane confirmed this, as he ruled out his team being affected, but alluded to Haas and Alpine, the Faenza-based squad’s rivals for sixth in the Constructors’ having to make changes.
“It was extremely easy for us so we haven’t changed our plank at all,” Permane revealed.
“I believe Haas and Alpine were exploiting [the satellite skids] so maybe it will slow them down a bit.
“If it does, it will be very small I’m sure.”
Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes then confirmed Permane’s assumptions in Thursday’s press conference in Las Vegas.
Oakes revealed that Alpine has had to make “a little change.”
It remains to be seen how the teams at any end of the championship will be affected by the technical directive, with the standings close.
Red Bull is chasing second-placed Ferrari, with the Italian team holding 557 points to the Milton Keynes-based outfit’s 544.
Meanwhile, Alpine lies sixth in the table with 49 points, Haas is seventh with 46 points and RB is eighth with 44 points.
READ MORE – FIA issue technical directive ahead of Las Vegas GP after Red Bull complaints
