Ahead of the Las Vegas GP, the FIA is examining reports that several F1 teams are using heat-expanding titanium skid plates. The goal therein is to protect plank wear underneath the car, an infringement which saw both Ferraris disqualified from the Chinese GP earlier in May 2025.
And it is a technical development that might explain the sharp performance swings by several teams this year, too. According to Japan’s as-web.jp, FIA technical directors believe teams have learned how to make the mandatory titanium skid plates absorb ‘large amounts of heat.’
CRITICAL LAS VEGAS GP
Under the current rules, three skid elements must be made from titanium alloy. There are specific standards to these, and they must sit flush with the wooden plank beneath the car. F1 teams will calculate the surface wear after each and every session of the Las Vegas GP. This ensures the plank retains the minimum thickness. Thus, avoiding the risk of disqualification
However, last week in Interlagos, the FIA noted how several cars appeared to run unusually low without triggering excessive plank wear. Reports claim that a heating process causes the titanium alloy to expand downward and shield the plank. This creating lots of extra sparking in the process.
SPARKS WILL FLY
“The higher the temperature of the titanium plate, the more it expands. When the car is scattering sparks, only the skids make contact with the track while the plank sits fractionally higher – preserving legality,” noted as-web.jp. And because drivers return to the pits slowly after sessions, the metal has time to cool down and retract before inspection.
FIA technical delegate, Jo Bauer, reportedly inspected all skid blocks after the sprint race in Brazil. And according to the Japanese source: “He discovered devices fitted to several cars for the sole purpose of heating the skids. And he ordered their removal before qualifying.” As a result, no such devices will be tolerated at the super-fast Las Vegas GP.
ALL-IMPORTANT LAS VEGAS GP
Moreover, the report suggests that nearly every team uses the heated skid plate concept to some extent. Certain teams have developed it into a major advantage on smooth circuits where their cars can run extremely low. Without them, affected teams are forced to raise the ride-height, losing downforce and pace – with GMM
But what do you think? Do you think the 2026 regulations will put a stop to this reliance on ground-effect downforce? Let us know in the comments section below …
