Red Bull’s RB8 floor declared illegal by the FIA

Formula 1’s governing body the FIA have declared the floor of Red Bull’s RB8 illegal, after the technical fiasco which took place throughout the Monaco Grand Prix. After the race in Monaco, the teams chose to not protest Mark Webber’s victory, however for the Canadian Grand Prix the floor must be altered to comply with the clarified rules.

The original design of the RB8’s floor consisted of holes in front of the rear wheels, a design which caused much disapproval from the other teams’. Sauber have a similar design to the floor of their car, however the holes are connected with slots, thus making this particular design legal. However, the design of the Red Bull has been officially deemed illegal after the FIA confirmed that no fully enclosed holes may be placed at that particular section of the floor.

This clamp down means Red Bull will now have to remove the holes before their car takes to Montreal’s Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve next weekend in Canada, however their previous results will remain unchanged.

The FIA released a statement on the issue: “Following on from a number of discussions in Monaco, during which it became clear that certain misunderstandings existed, we feel it would be helpful to make our position clear with respect to the presence of a fully enclosed hole in any surface lying on the step plane.

“It has been argued that, as it is not explicitly stated that fully enclosed holes cannot be located in a surface lying on the step plane rearward of a line 450mm forward of the rear face of the cockpit template, then they may be located in such areas. We disagree with this view and consider it implicit that fully enclosed holes may not be located there.

“If they were permitted the opening part of the second paragraph of Article 3.12.5 (which was added to the regulations at the same time as Articles 3.12.9 and 3.12.10 for 2011) would be superfluous.

“Furthermore, locating a fully enclosed hole partly or wholly within the 50mm band which is exempt from the requirements of Article 3.12.10 along the outer edges of the surfaces lying on the step plane does not exempt it from the requirements of Article 3.12.5, those parts lying outboard of Y650 are still parts of the surfaces lying on the step plane.”

As the F1 fraternity now heads to Canada, Red Bull will be striving to take their first ever victory at Montreal. Along with the new circuit in Austin, the Canadian Grand Prix is the only race Red Bull have as of yet failed to be victorious around.

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