FIA Looks to Ban FRIC Suspension

[cosworth151]

The FIA is looking to ban the Front and Rear Interconnected suspension systems used by most of the teams. Charlie Whiting says, "Having now seen and studied nearly every current design of front to rear linked suspension system we, the FIA, are formally of the view that the legality of all such systems could be called into question."

Whiting sites Article 3.15. It is a catch-all dealing with movable aero devices.

The ban could go into effect by Hockenheim. Realistically, I don't think that would be practical with less than 2 weeks to the race. The FIA says it is open to postpone enforcement until the 2015 season, if all of the teams team concur.

http://www.racer.com/f1/item/105259-f1-set-to-ban-fric-suspension-systems

[Jericoke]

Seems redundant to bash the FIA, but why not?

Let the FIA set safety standards only, and let the teams agree on what makes a car 'legal'.

I believe that the teams will naturally agree on cost effective rules, while leaving room to create some truly advanced ideas.

I also believe that if the teams are forced to work together, it will help them look out for the interests of the sport as a whole, instead of just their own fifedom.

[John S]

Gosh the FIA, or is it just Jean Todt, are sore losers.   

These systems have been around since 08 and now they want them outlawed from the next race! 

Now call me old fashioned but this stinks of knee jerk reaction to the rebuff from the top teams over cost cutting.

The irony is that enforcing a rule so suddenly will actually drive up costs for most of the teams.  It won't improve the chances of the tail enders either, the big outfits will still keep their speed advantage. Just plain daft Charlie, but you're probably under orders.   

[Scott]

Every rule the FIA comes up with seems to only cost more money...

[lkjohnson1950]

This seems to go against the idea of making the cars more road relevant. There are high end cars with front/rear linkages.

[John S]

Seems most, if not all teams, took advantage of the Silverstone test last week to run non FRICS cars. Looking more and more like this notification from Charlie to the teams about FRICS illegality has been deliberately timed.