A speed-boosting qualifying trick employed by Mercedes and Red Bull Formula 1 teams has been outlawed by the FIA.
The manufacturers discovered a method to circumvent mandated power reduction requirements that must be adhered to as cars deplete battery energy on straights. Instead of a ‘ramp down’ rate on the charge to the timing line at the end of a qualifying lap, they could run at maximum deployment for as long as possible.
This gave them a potential 50kW-100kW advantage over competitors whose power was being reduced.
How the Trick Worked
The Mercedes- and Red Bull-powered teams exploited a loophole in the F1 regulations. The regulations allowed for bypassing the ramp down requirement if the MGU-K is shut for technical reasons, such as an emergency.
This software mode to disable the MGU-K was in place to prevent damage to power unit components if a problem was detected.
The challenge was defining a legitimate reason to shut the engine down versus doing so for competitive advantage.
Measures were put in place to discourage teams from exploiting this MGU-K shutdown route to get around the ramp down rates by activating it.
The main measure was a demand that, if the MGU-K is shut down by a driver, it will be locked out from use for 60 seconds.
This “continuous offset” mode deterred teams from using the trick during a race or most of a qualifying lap.
Qualifying Loophole
Mercedes and Red Bull realised that using the trick could bring gains in the final run to the timing line because drivers do not need the MGU-K for a slow down lap after a qualifying effort. There was no theoretical downside because speed was not important as the cars returned to the pits.
Rivals first noticed Mercedes and Red Bull employing this tactic in Australia.
The matter escalated at the Japanese Grand Prix at the end of March when unintended consequences of the trick became apparent.
Drivers from both manufacturers found that there were big risks of their cars grinding to a halt, with the MGU-K unavailable following a qualifying effort or qualifying simulation.
During practice in Japan, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen both had moments where they were left limping through the Suzuka Esses.
FIA Clamps Down
The FIA has now clamped down on that practice.
- The trick involved bypassing mandated power reduction demands.
- It gave Mercedes and Red Bull a 50kW-100kW advantage.
- The FIA introduced a “continuous offset” mode to deter the practice.
While the gain may only have been worth a fraction of a second, it was still clearly worth chasing in the fight for grid positions.