Why F1 Cars Have a Wooden Plank: The Surprising Reason

07-30-2024

Credit: TheJudge13.com

If you are a Formula 1 fan, you’ve likely noticed that every race car has a wooden plank, also known as a skid block, on the underside. This plank serves two primary purposes. One is enforcing the minimum ride height. By measuring the plank’s sustained damage during a race, it ensures the car maintains a minimum height. The second is ensuring driver safety. By limiting the downforce acting on the car, it helps control the car's speed. Both reasons are crucial for safety, regulating the car's speed and downforce. The increased height required to keep the plank's wear within legal limits reduces the downforce and, consequently, the car's top speed.

Reason For Introduction of Planks

The introduction of the plank followed the tragic deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Ratzenberger’s crash was due to his car's front wing lodging under the vehicle, causing a fatal collision at 195.7 mph. Senna's crash was attributed to a faulty steering column, leading to a crash that resulted in fatal injuries. In response, the FIA introduced the skid block to forcefully increase car height and decrease downforce, especially in high-downforce curves. This change significantly reduced the number of accidents and fatalities in the sport.

 Protection Provided by the Plank

The skid block helps in two main ways:

• Prevents Bottoming Out: It stops F1 cars from bottoming out too much, preventing sudden loss of downforce and the subsequent purpoising.
• Reduces Downforce: By increasing ride height, it reduces the downforce pressing down on the car.

1. Purpoising

Purpoising occurs when a car bottoms out, causing a bouncing motion as the airflow under the car is interrupted. This can lead to loss of control. The plank helps mitigate this by elevating the car height and reducing the downforce, though it does not eliminate purpoising completely. Recent adjustments, such as the FIA's requirement to increase floor edge heights, aim to address this issue further.

2. Less Downforce

Downforce improves grip and speed, but excessive downforce can lower the car too much, leading to purpoising. The plank ensures that the car maintains a higher ride height, reducing downforce and, thus, preventing excessive bottoming out.

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Impact of Plank on F1 Teams

The plank's requirement for a minimum ride height has led to significant changes in car design. Engineers have had to adjust to ensure the plank remains undamaged, as severe damage can lead to disqualification. This universal change has made all F1 cars slightly slower but much safer. According to FIA regulations, the plank must be:

• Uniform Thickness: 10 mm ± 0.2mm
• Hole Positions: Four specific holes for thickness measurement
• Material: Any homogeneous material meeting specific requirements
• Construction: Made from at most three pieces, with the forward piece at least 900mm long
• Skids: Metallic skids can be added in place of plank material, visible from below and made from Titanium alloy

Plank Material Used in F1

Initially made from Jabroc, a composite wood, the plank is now made from Permaglass, a glass-reinforced laminate that is strong, durable, light, and non-flammable. This material ensures smooth degradation, posing no risk to drivers or spectators.

Plank Wear and Disqualification Issues

The FIA allows a 1mm wear limit on the plank. If the plank wears beyond this, the car is disqualified, as excessive wear indicates the car is too low and generating too much downforce, risking purpoising. The penalties for excessive wear on the wooden plank can be severe, as it is seen as a violation of the rules that govern the construction and operation of F1 cars. In the past, teams have been penalized with fines, loss of championship points, or even disqualification from races for failing to comply with the regulations regarding the wooden plank.

Teams have developed measures such as adding titanium plates to slow plank degradation and maintain lower car heights for more downforce. The plank must be rigid within FIA parameters, but engineers have exploited loopholes to create flexible planks that lower car height for better performance. The FIA has updated regulations to address these tactics.

The Evolution and Future of the Wooden Plank on F1 Cars

Over the years, the design and construction of the wooden plank have evolved to meet the changing demands of F1 racing. Teams are constantly looking for ways to make their cars faster and more competitive, and the wooden plank is no exception. Today, the plank is made from a special type of wood that is both durable and lightweight, ensuring that it can withstand the rigors of racing while also contributing to the overall performance of the car.

As F1 racing continues to evolve, so too will the role of the wooden plank on the cars. Advances in materials and technology will likely lead to further improvements in the design and construction of the plank, allowing teams to maximize their performance on the track. While the wooden plank may seem like a simple component, its importance cannot be overstated in the world of F1 racing.

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Conclusion

The wooden plank on F1 cars may seem like a strange choice at first glance, but its role in regulating ride height and ensuring compliance with safety regulations is crucial to the performance of these high-speed racing machines. As technology continues to advance, the design and construction of the wooden plank will likely evolve to meet the changing demands of F1 racing, ensuring that teams can continue to push the limits of speed and performance on the track. The plank is a crucial safety feature in F1, ensuring cars maintain a safe ride height and limiting downforce to prevent accidents. It has significantly contributed to the sport's safety evolution, reflecting modern advancements in car manufacturing and safety measures.