2023 United States Grand Prix - COTA, Oct 20 - 22

[DiogoBrand]

I don’t know how stupid this is, but here goes:
What’s the difference in diameter between a new and a worn tire? I mean, would it be possible that the one stop strategy from Leclerc could make the difference between getting a DSQ or not, because he effectively ran with a smaller average tyre diameter throughout the race?

[AR3-GP]

I don’t know how stupid this is, but here goes:
What’s the difference in diameter between a new and a worn tire? I mean, would it be possible that the one stop strategy from Leclerc could make the difference between getting a DSQ or not, because he effectively ran with a smaller average tyre diameter throughout the race?

Thread wear and tire inflation pressure will both impact the ride height of the car. They are among a long list of inputs that determine the actual ride height of the car. It is therefore difficult to place blame on a single element, such as the thread depth.

[Stu]

My understanding is that the plank is one of the things that can be inspected & changed under Parc Ferme rules (& is observed by FIA delegate).
For these cars, this track is nightmarishly bumpy - maybe not quite to the same level as Monaco - and the high speed nature of many of the turns puts a premium on precise ride height & platform control (which is something that the RB19 has excelled at). The generous track limits at corner apices encourage higher cornering speeds, but this also increases suspension & tyre compression, resulting in reducing ride height (particularly at the rear, under acceleration).

[Mogster]

Is the plank not replaced every session?

[mzivtins]

Plank wear inspection is the solution to the problem of automation, it is so good at detecting any ride height issues on an N number of factors and scenarios.

All they need to do is inspect them all, thats it.

[PlatinumZealot]

Didn't Mercedes make this same miztake last year at rhis very same track? The only difference is they caught it before qualifying?? Must be how their suspension and aero works.

To contrast, RedBull was running a noticeably higher rideheight this weekend. It's a bit depressing but that probably explains why the other cars were so close to them.

[taperoo2k]

My understanding is that the plank is one of the things that can be inspected & changed under Parc Ferme rules (& is observed by FIA delegate).

From what I remember teams can inspect the plank but they can't make any alterations to it without
breaking parc ferme rules, thus triggering a pitlane start. Not sure if they can change a plank if it's damaged to the extent it makes it unsafe to run the car, without taking a penalty.

[taperoo2k]

Didn't Mercedes make this same miztake last year at rhis very same track? The only difference is they caught it before qualifying?? Must be how their suspension and aero works.

To contrast, RedBull was running a noticeably higher rideheight this weekend. It's a bit depressing but that probably explains why the other cars were so close to them.

If this had been a normal race weekend, they would have spotted the ride height was causing excessive wear on the plank (and skid blocks) and would have probably opted to change the plank after FP1 along with changes to the ride height. They might have spotted it, but as I've alluded to in my previous post any alterations to the plank (which I assume includes a change in ride height) triggers a pitlane start under parc ferme rules. Mercedes might have decided to take a gamble on not falling foul of the rules.

I wouldn't expect any of the teams to be any closer to Red Bull than McLaren have been, given the focus and resources will be on the '24 car. We might see a few upgrades, but those will probably be for '24.

[FW17]

Wonder how many teams use black paint on plank to verify their plank wear.

Red Bull certainly used in Monaco while Mercedes did not

[ringo]

I could be wrong but i think the plank can be changed after any session.
There would be no benefit to a team that wears it down rapidly to get an advantage but has to replace it with one of orginal thickness for the race the following day.

What i am curious about is the plank material. Could it be softer on the outside but as the wear brings it closer to 9mm a tougher material is used making it more resistant to wear at the 9mm?

[organic]

I could be wrong but i think the plank can be changed after any session.
There would be no benefit to a team that wears it down rapidly to get an advantage but has to replace it with one of orginal thickness for the race the following day.

What i am curious about is the plank material. Could it be softer on the outside but as the wear brings it closer to 9mm a tougher material is used making it more resistant to wear at the 9mm?

I believe the plank has to be made of a homogenous material ranging in density between 1.3 to 1.45 specific gravity (essentially density relative to water)

Homogenous requirement prevents your idea from working

Currently a resinous material called Permaglass is used for the plank

[PlatinumZealot]

They arw given the material by FIa suppliers I think.

[AR3-GP]

[Big Tea]

Is it not possible to stick a strip of something such as Teflon or a slippery nylon over an affected area of the plank so it is gone just before race end? There would need to be some scraping so removing glue marks.

[Sieper]

That would be actual cheating and if found out you would face grave consequences.

Setting up a car over the limit (so that the plank wears down too much) is just a risk you take, a roll of the dice.