Sky Sports Channel Logo

F1 News

News

  • News
  • Video
  • Live
  • Opinion
  • Gossip
  • Drivers & Teams
  • Schedule & Results
  • Standings
  • Stats Zone
  • Get Sky F1

Force India’s Otmar Szafnauer says 'zero' chance of unanimous pact on FRIC ban delay

Team chief says systems could give 'half-second a lap' gains for some

By James Galloway

Last Updated: 23/09/14 4:19pm

Force India’s Otmar Szafnauer has rated the chances of Formula 1’s teams coming to a unanimous agreement to continue running FRIC suspension systems in 2014 “zero” ahead of this weekend’s German GP.

In the technical talking point which is dominating the sport’s return to racing action this weekend at Hockenheim, some of the grid’s key teams are thought to be looking to gain agreement among all 11 outfits that they can continue to run with FRIC - front to rear interconnected suspension - for the rest of the season without protest from a rival.

The move follows the letter FIA Technical Delegate Charlie Whiting sent to all teams last week informing them that following investigations into the systems, which are used to stabilise a car’s ride and aid set-up, the governing body now considered their primary function to be aerodynamic, which in his view could be against the regulations.

Whiting offered the olive branch that teams could keep their FRIC systems for the rest of this season if they all agreed to such a move. However, speaking on The F1 Show, Force India COO Szafnauer doubted such common ground would be found.

“We’ll do what the majority want, but it’s not about majority, it’s about unanimity,” he told Sky Sports F1.

“I think the likelihood of a unanimous agreement is zero quite frankly.

“I think there will be people out there who say ‘if the FIA think it should be banned then let’s do that’.”

Anthony Davidson’s track guide for the German GP at Hockenheimring. Coverage of Practice 1 starts from 9am on Friday, on Sky Sports F1.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Anthony Davidson’s track guide for the German GP at Hockenheimring. Coverage of Practice 1 starts from 9am on Friday, on Sky Sports F1.
Anthony Davidson’s track guide for the German GP at Hockenheimring. Coverage of Practice 1 starts from 9am on Friday, on Sky Sports F1.

Although the use of FRIC systems, increasingly developed by teams to varying degrees over recent years, is thought to be widespread, Szafnauer confirmed that Force India only use it intermittently and would run without it in Germany if no agreement was reached.

“We have run it in the past, we don’t always run it,” he explained.

“Ironically, we spent two days at Silverstone developing it even further. So we will see what the future brings, but if we’re allowed to run we will and if not we won’t.  We can take ours off.

“What the sport needs is clarity. As long as we know what the rules are I think everybody will follow and then we can go racing again.”

With debate raging as to which team would be most penalised by an immediate change, Szafnauer said it would be determined by how fundamental the suspension system was to a car’s design.

“It can make a significant difference,” he explained. “It can be half-second a lap, if not more, depending on whether you develop the entire car around it over the winter and in the wind tunnel. If that’s the case it can make a significant difference.

“For some teams it might mean more if they take it off than others.”

What the FRIC? F1's new technical controversy decoded

Watch the 2014 German GP live only on Sky Sports F1. Extensive coverage from Hockenheim begins with Friday Practice from 8.45am on July 18.

Trending

  • 1
    Spanish GP: Red Bulls in front after Leclerc retires from lead LIVE!
  • 2
    Premier League Final Day team news LIVE!
  • 3
    Transfer Centre LIVE! Arsenal, Newcastle and West Ham chasing Broja?
  • 4
    Mbappe confirms stay at PSG | LaLiga to file complaint over 'scandalous' deal
  • 5
    PL Predictions: A Man City wobble? Surely not?
  • 6
    PL Final Day: Three games live on Sky Sports plus ALL the goals as they go in
  • 7
    Papers: Pogba set for Juve return | Lingard closes on West Ham switch
  • 8
    Premier League Final Day: What's still to play for?
  • 9
    PGA Championship: Pereira leads on final day LIVE!
  • 10
    Trent: Man City have helped Liverpool become mentality monsters
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2022 Sky UK