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#408345
Formula One teams are not expected to come to an agreement over the use of FRIC (Front and Rear Interconnected) suspension systems ahead of the German Grand Prix, raising the prospect of protests against any team that opts to run it this weekend.

Following the British Grand Prix, F1 technical delegate Charlie Whiting wrote to the teams saying the FIA is "firmly of the view that the legality of all such systems could be called into question" but that it would permit the use of FRIC suspension if all the teams agreed to allow it. However, on Wednesday an FIA spokesman confirmed to ESPN that no such agreement is in place ahead of this weekend's race, meaning any team running the system runs the risk of a protest from its rivals.

"We have not yet got, nor do we expect to get, the agreement of all teams to the proposed amnesty," he said.

Different teams have developed the technology to different degrees, meaning some are likely to gain more than others from a ban. If a car is protested against, the team will be reported to the stewards of the meeting, who could exclude it if they believe it contravenes the rules.

FRIC systems link the front and rear suspension to help control the pitch of the car under braking in order to maintain its ride height and gain an aerodynamic advantage. In the technical directive sent by Whiting, he warned that he believed such systems could be in breach of Article 3.15 of the F1 Technical Regulations, which outlaws moveable aerodynamic devices.

Read more at http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/stor ... 81UiIhx.99
#408347
So to summarize...

1.Charlie "believes" they illegal.
2.There is no direct rule from the FiA stating the illegality.
3.Teams can choose to still run with them (but risk having other teams protest)
4.Teams can still get their cars through scrutineering with FRIC in place since it's not explicitly illegal and if validated by the stewards, then they can take that as approval from the FiA that they can run their cars with FRIC.

Are we clear now? :rolleyes:

It's almost comical.
#408363
So the only way to find out if the fia deem it to be illegal is for someone to run with it and if they get kicked out of germany then we'll know. Not only have they waited till mid season, which is bad enough, but they're going to clarify the rules mid event if they think someone has broken the rule they're yet to clarify.
#408364
So the only way to know if it is illegal, is for another team to protest? Is there anyway to tell, just from looking at the car if its running FRIC ?

If there isnt, how are they going to know to protest? Or do they just protest all cars for the hell of it??
#408373
No matter how you look at this issue, writing to the teams with such obscure information is a cowardly way to have someone else do your dirty work!

Charlie Whiting does not impress!! :banghead:
#408374
Ok, I'm sure I'm just not smart enough right now to understand the absurdity of the situation...

But what if no one runs FRIC and there are protests anyway. And they find out no one was running FRIC. Does this issue carry forward to the next race? And the race after? :hehe:

And do we dock points off teams who protested and wasted the FIAs precious time? :hehe:

F**ktards.
#408377
Ok, I'm sure I'm just not smart enough right now to understand the absurdity of the situation...

But what if no one runs FRIC and there are protests anyway. And they find out no one was running FRIC. Does this issue carry forward to the next race? And the race after? :hehe:

And do we dock points off teams who protested and wasted the FIAs precious time? :hehe:

F**ktards.


If I were RedBull, I'd force Toro Rosso to use FRIC, then protest as RedBull. Just to force the issue and get it cleared up.

fecking comical.
#408433
Maybe I should make a quick banner for Germany saying FRIC OFF CHARLIE!!!

Edit: but then it might be misconstrued by the largely German spectators. They might think I'm asking Charlie to take FRIC off the cars. Best stick with my Hamilton Union Jack .
#408435
So to summarize...

1.Charlie "believes" they illegal.
2.There is no direct rule from the FiA stating the illegality.
3.Teams can choose to still run with them (but risk having other teams protest)
4.Teams can still get their cars through scrutineering with FRIC in place since it's not explicitly illegal and if validated by the stewards, then they can take that as approval from the FiA that they can run their cars with FRIC.

Are we clear now? :rolleyes:

It's almost comical.


It is ridiculous, that's for sure. But, to be fair to Charlie, items 2, 3 and 4 have been that way for ages. F1 does not "scrutinize" every component of every car. I've posted technical reports previously (will try and find and add the link later). In most cases they only test some things on some cars.

The silly, and IMO gutless part, is the FiA abrogating their responsibility to be the enforcer of the rules and regulations. There should be no question of asking teams what they want or don't want enforced. If they believe FRIC is illegal they should declare it as such and mete out punishment.
#408437
But the cars with it on have passed scrutinising, ie been declared legal, so they can't just punish cars with it on. All they can do , if indeed they have decided on a whim that it's illegal, is punish those using from the point they declared it illegal forward.
Much as they did with Red Bulls fuel flow thing. They said it was illegal, asked for it not to be used, it was used so the perpetrator was punished.

It's still making F1 look foolish that the organisers don't know the rules and cant decide what's legal and what isn't .
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