TechnicalF1 Unlocked
TECH TUESDAY: The ‘plank’ has been in F1 since 1994 – so why did Mercedes and Ferrari get caught out in Austin?
Technical Contributors
Mark Hughes and Giorgio PiolaThe disqualification of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc from their respective second and sixth places in the United States Grand Prix has brought the underbody plank into the frontline of F1 news for the first time since Michael Schumacher’s Benetton was excluded from victory at Spa 29 years ago. What is the plank for and why has it suddenly come back into the news after so long? To fully understand that requires the telling of some F1 history.
The compulsory fitment of the plank to the centre of the underfloor was part of a raft of reactions to the fatal accidents at Imola 1994 of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna. A contributory cause of the Senna accident was believed to be the underbody airflow stalling as the car ran low on under-pressure tyres following several slow laps behind an under-powered Safety Car.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Report F2: Bortoleto takes last gasp pole position ahead of Bearman in Imola
Report F3: Goethe secures maiden win after final lap fight with Leon in Imola Sprint Race
Video WATCH: Ride onboard with Leclerc for the fastest lap of Friday practice at Imola
Video HIGHLIGHTS: Ferrari lead day one in Emilia-Romagna as Tsunoda puts RB third in FP2 at Imola