The FIA will introduce new enforcement measures at the United States Grand Prix weekend in Austin after concerns emerged about possible irregularities related to modifications made to cars in parc fermé. The issue concerns potential unauthorised changes to the ride height of cars, a practice that could provide a significant advantage between qualifying and the race.
Il Parc Fermé trick, what happened?
The story, made public by Motorsport, revolves around the suspicion that an unidentified team may have found a way to adjust the height of the front of the car, known as the T-Tray, between qualifying and the race. Even a small change in this area would allow for performance optimization, adapting the car to different fuel conditions. And thus improving both the qualifying laps with empty tanks and the race with the heavier car.
This type of modification, however, would clearly violate the Formula 1 technical regulations, which prohibit any aerodynamic intervention in parc fermé, with the exception of front wing adjustments. The FIA said it had no clear evidence that any team was using this ploy. However has nevertheless decided to adopt new measures to monitor the cars more closely. With the introduction of possible seals on critical devices.
Background: The case of flexible wings
This is not the first time this season that the FIA has intervened to ensure compliance with the regulations. During the Belgian Grand Prix, high-resolution cameras were introduced to monitor the flexibility of the wings, following suspicions raised in Baku regarding McLaren's flexible rear wing. Again, the issue was an aerodynamic advantage gained through an ambiguous interpretation of the rules.
Now, With the arrival of the United States Grand Prix, the FIA has chosen to intensify checks on the bottom of the cars in Austin, avoiding a possible violation in parc fermé. Making sure no team is exploiting such a grey area. Any attempt to adjust the ride height would be considered a serious violation, with potentially serious consequences for the teams involved.
A crucial season finale
The new measures come at a key point in the season, with just six races remaining, including three Sprint Race weekends. The drivers’ title fight sees Max Verstappen lead Lando Norris by 52 points, but McLaren has shown it has an extremely competitive car, putting Red Bull under pressure.
McLaren leads the constructors' championship, but Red Bull and Ferrari are not out of contention yet. The Austin Grand Prix will mark the start of a triptych of races that could determine the fate of both world titles. Every technical detail, including the new testing procedures imposed by the FIA, could make the difference in this intense final battle.
