FIA Resolves Movable Floor Controversy…
Mar 28th, 2007 by Haas
AutoSport.com is reporting that FIA have moved to change its regulations on the movement of bodywork around the floor of the car. The change was prompted after Mc Laren chief Ron Dennis complained that some of the teams had chosen to interpret the rules in a way which his team did not agree to.
The article 3.17.4 of Formula One’s technical regulations states that no bodywork, such as the floor, can deflect more than 5mm vertically when exposed to a 500 Newton load upward. Some of the teams (Ferrari and BMW) had chosen to put a spring device allegedly calibrated to have enough resistance to allow the floor to pass this FIA flexibility test when the car was in the garage, but then give way when the car was exposed to higher forces out on the circuit. Allowing the car to be a bit more aerodynamic at higher speeds.
The changes in the rules state that
We have no objection to a device in this area which is fitted to prevent the bodywork from moving downwards, provided it is clear that it is not designed to circumvent the test described in Article 3.17.4. Therefore, with immediate effect, we will be testing bodywork in the relevant area with any such devices removed
This could in all probability forbid Ferrari and BMW from using the same system in future races dealing a blow to their advantage over other teams. How much of advantage is still a question that needs to be answered but it seems obvious that the change would work in Mc Laren and other teams favor.
Related Article: FIA acts on movable floor controversy