Reactive ride system banned?

According to sources on the Internet, the reactive ride system that Lotus developed and Ferrari have been working on has now been banned by the FIA. Flip back to these past couple of weeks where the system has been given the green light by the FIA and compiling with the stringent regulations and rules.

Now is it just me thinking what on earth are the FIA actually doing? Giving the green light to the system and then banning it? http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97127

Now their could be a whole bunch of reasons such as Mclaren or Red Bull going up to the FIA and complaining or the regulations have been looked at over again and it has now been deemed illegal, but feel very sorry for Lotus and Ferrari after more or less developing it through the winter, harsh. However I believe their has been no offical confirmation from the FIA

thoughts?

I love how they asked Mr Horner his views about the legality of the component! Mr Flexible-Wing himself!

The FIA have known about this system for a few months and have decided that with testing for new cars next month they are going to ban it now. Not really a big problem for the big teams with pots of cash. However, a smaller team with minimal funding may have just invested a lot of cash into researching this system.

In a time of austerity measures in F1, how can the FIA justify banning it now with so many teams already investing in this technology? We crave innovation so why not leave it till the end of the season like with the blown diffusers.

Totally agree AC, Lotus and Ferrari have obviously spent a awful lot of time researching and developing the system and its just been burnt by the FIA, however as you said I don't think it will be a problem for Lotus and Ferrari as I'm sure they both have a contingency plan to fall back on, but I just feel we have been robbed of a great innovation. I smell sour grapes from certain teams..

However surely another backtrack must be on the way if most of the teams have followed suit? even if its illegal surely it will be reinstated if more or less most of the teams have invested in it?

Kentyf1 wrote:I just feel we have been robbed of a great innovation. I smell sour grapes from certain teams..

Without doubt. Seriously the FIA are an embarrasment! As far as I am aware the technology was approved back in 2010, however the teams recognised 'blown diffusers' as the most advantageous route to follow. It's like the FIA make these rules and then as soon as a one or a couple of teams begins investing money and creating the technology, they suddenly get all worried and rush to ban it in case it jeopardises the competitiveness of the season. Clearly other teams have appealed this technology as they were either unaware or unable to implement it onto their cars for 2012, so they have appealed. Just think of the investment and time wasted developing this technology.....shocking, in a time when the economy is struggling and they are attempting to make F1 more effiicient.

I think Lotus will be totally devastated and I'm not so sure they will have a significant back-up plan that makes them so confident and competitive as they were hoping for with the ride-height system. They tested this at the young drivers programme in Abu Dhabi and was the main focus for the 2012 car as I understand. I think Ferrari will be fine thanks to the strength of the team and its finances but the timing of this ban is extremely poor. Innovation is fundamental in F1 but unfortunately the sport's heirachy want to remain stagnant.

Its a farce. An absolute farce. However John, don't you feel if most of the teams have developed it and tried to implement the system into their respected vehicles then surely the FIA will face a whiplash?

I think Lotus and to a degree Ferrari will be dissapointed, obviously Lotus the most however I think Lotus will appeal or try and find another loophole in the regulations. Regardless Lotus will be okay this season with Kimi, sure he will deliver results, pushing that car out of its limits and Grosjean will be more equipped on his return back to full time racing. Ferrari will be there or there abouts for sure.

The worst thing about it is as you said John, the timing. Why give it the green light and then ban it? Ludicrous.

While the FIA's abrupt U-turn on these active ride height systems is very curious, I don't think it would have been a particularly brilliant, game-changing development. It would have helped make cornering quicker, but thats about it.

Obviously in F1 any advantage...even a small one...is important, but I don't think the sport will be much poorer without it.

The FIA initially approved it on the grounds the active ride system was part of the cars' suspension systems. However, it later became clear its primary function was to improve the cars' aerodynamics (ride height) under braking...hence the ban.

I think its a bit mean-spirited on their part, given how hard it is to produce any real innovative new technology that DOESN'T contravene the rules in some way. But going strictly by the new rules I guess it counts.

I agree the FIA do look rather stupid and they ought to have done a little more research before giving their final verdict.