Toto Wolff slams FIA for making wrong decision on F1 loophole ahead of French GP
Toto Wolff has criticized the FIA for not taking action against illegal cars exploiting a loophole earlier in the season. The Mercedes team principal says the action should have been implemented "three races ago" and not delayed until the Belgian Grand Prix.
The FIA will introduce an aerodynamic oscillation metric (AOM) to measure the rebound of cars from Spa, although it initially wanted to introduce the changes for this weekend. The move was intended to reduce porpoising, but revealed a controversial loophole.
The FIA found warping on a number of the team's skates when it analyzed them before the rule changes. The damage was more than the teams are allowed by the technical regulations, meaning the teams used their floors to gain speed.
It is understood that some teams have also tricked the measurement system by using the weight of the car. When stopped, the weight of the car would compress and ensure the car was legal.
READ MORE: Toto Wolff slams his F1 rivals for being 'one-trick ponies'
However, on track, the materials could expand and allow more flexibility in the boards, resulting in performance gains. The new rules will prevent teams from playing with their flexible floors, but a delay from Belgium means teams will still be able to gain an extra advantage for this weekend.
Wolff told Sky Sports F1: "I think it's a coincidence that the FIA spotted him at one of the races and made it clear he wasn't. When told asked if the new changes would make a big difference in the pecking order, Wolff was less convinced.
"I think first of all there's no silver bullet unless you're talking about a dual diffuser. So it won't make a big difference. They might have to roll the car at the front a little higher than before.
DON'T MISSLewis Hamilton replacement 'nervous' ahead of Mercedes debut [INSIGHT]Toto Wolff slammed by Nico Rosberg for defending Lewis Hamilton [ANALYSIS]Toto Wolff issues 'karma' warning to star of Red Bull Max Verstappen [COMMENT]
"I think this (technical directive) should have been put in place once it was discovered three races ago. So the argument that it's fair to have brought it in the middle of the season is not the right one.
“It should have been introduced when it was discovered, as it is clearly much more than a loophole.” Christian Horner has spoken out against the in-season rule changes but insisted any suggestion that Red Bull used illegal grounds was wrong.
He said, "It's total rubbish. The floor… I think we're mixing issues here.
Toto Wolff has criticized the FIA for not taking action against illegal cars exploiting a loophole earlier in the season. The Mercedes team principal says the action should have been implemented "three races ago" and not delayed until the Belgian Grand Prix.
The FIA will introduce an aerodynamic oscillation metric (AOM) to measure the rebound of cars from Spa, although it initially wanted to introduce the changes for this weekend. The move was intended to reduce porpoising, but revealed a controversial loophole.
The FIA found warping on a number of the team's skates when it analyzed them before the rule changes. The damage was more than the teams are allowed by the technical regulations, meaning the teams used their floors to gain speed.
It is understood that some teams have also tricked the measurement system by using the weight of the car. When stopped, the weight of the car would compress and ensure the car was legal.
READ MORE: Toto Wolff slams his F1 rivals for being 'one-trick ponies'
However, on track, the materials could expand and allow more flexibility in the boards, resulting in performance gains. The new rules will prevent teams from playing with their flexible floors, but a delay from Belgium means teams will still be able to gain an extra advantage for this weekend.
Wolff told Sky Sports F1: "I think it's a coincidence that the FIA spotted him at one of the races and made it clear he wasn't. When told asked if the new changes would make a big difference in the pecking order, Wolff was less convinced.
"I think first of all there's no silver bullet unless you're talking about a dual diffuser. So it won't make a big difference. They might have to roll the car at the front a little higher than before.
DON'T MISSLewis Hamilton replacement 'nervous' ahead of Mercedes debut [INSIGHT]Toto Wolff slammed by Nico Rosberg for defending Lewis Hamilton [ANALYSIS]Toto Wolff issues 'karma' warning to star of Red Bull Max Verstappen [COMMENT]
"I think this (technical directive) should have been put in place once it was discovered three races ago. So the argument that it's fair to have brought it in the middle of the season is not the right one.
“It should have been introduced when it was discovered, as it is clearly much more than a loophole.” Christian Horner has spoken out against the in-season rule changes but insisted any suggestion that Red Bull used illegal grounds was wrong.
He said, "It's total rubbish. The floor… I think we're mixing issues here.
What's Your Reaction?
