Red Bull Loses "Hole" Challenge

Last week, McLarenMcLarenUnited Kingdom, 1963 > present92 models
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, FerrariFerrariItaly, 1947 > present233 models
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and MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
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challenged the hole in the floor of the Red Bull RB8Red Bull RB8Austria, 2012 > 201210 photos
just ahead of the rear wheel. The slot made from two perpendicular cuts directed fast moving air from around the rear tire to the diffuser. According to Formula 1 rules, there can be no holes in the floor a certain distance behind the driver. The other teams claimed that this slot was located too far back, and the FIA agrees. 

In a ruling by the FIA late Friday, it said that the design did not adhere to the rules and would have to be changed. The ruling is not retroactive, though. Points earned by Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel since the Bahrain Grand Prix when the holes were added will be kept, but the team must change the design by the Canadian Grand Prix. 

Red BullRed BullAustria, 2004 > present12 models
1049 photos
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remains upbeat, and it says that the change will not affect the car's performance in Montreal.

"We had not planned to use this floor in Montreal anyway. We had prepared a different configuration using a flat version of the floor. Therefore we do not need to modify the cars in Canada," said Red Bull Motorsport Chief Helmut Marko. 

Source: Autosport (1,2)