The FIA has banned a qualifying trick used by Mercedes and Red Bull that allowed for speed boosts at the end of laps. This controversial tactic was first spotted by rivals during the Australian Grand Prix and involved circumventing mandatory power reduction requirements by maintaining maximum deployment longer than allowed.
The trick provided an advantage of 50kW-100kW over competitors during the final sector of qualifying laps. Mercedes and Red Bull exploited a loophole allowing MGU-K shutdowns during technical emergencies to gain performance, which raised safety concerns during the Japanese Grand Prix when drivers experienced power losses.
Ferrari had previously raised concerns about the safety implications of the trick with the FIA, leading to increased scrutiny. In response, the FIA clarified that MGU-K shutdowns must only be used for legitimate emergencies, not for performance enhancement.
The FIA has now clamped down on that practice, introducing a ‘continuous offset’ mode to deter the use of the MGU-K shutdown trick. If the MGU-K is shut down, it cannot be activated again for 60 seconds, which could be detrimental during races.
The ban on the trick was implemented ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, with updated technical documents issued to enforce the new regulations. The FIA has made it clear that MGU-K shutdowns must not be used systematically for performance enhancement.
Mercedes and Red Bull had realized they could utilize the trick during cooldown laps after qualifying efforts without penalty, but this loophole has now been closed. The FIA’s decisive action aims to ensure fair competition and enhance safety on the track.
As the Miami Grand Prix approaches, teams will need to adapt to these new rules, and observers are keen to see how this will affect performance dynamics in the race.
