FIA plan to clarify Red Bull floor before Canada

Formula 1’s governing body the FIA are planning to resolve the controversial row over the floor of Red Bull’s RB8 before the next round of the Championship in Canada, after a hole in the floor brought the legality of the car under scrutiny by many rival teams.

Initially it was thought a post-race protest was going to be launched against Red Bull by either McLaren of Ferrari, however eventually a protest failed to materialize as it was unanimously agreed it would be better for the sport to sort out the issue before the Canadian Grand Prix, rather than potentially see the results of the Monaco Grand Prix effected hours after the race had ended.

The hole in question on the floor of Red Bull’s 2012 challenger, the RB8, is situated just ahead of the rear-wheels of the car. Unlike other teams on the grid, this hole does not have a small slot to the edge of the floor, this meaning the hole could well be illegal.

"Red Bull have not been asked to change anything yet.” Said an FIA spokesmen to AutoSport, “However, there is a difference of opinion over interpretation of a regulation, which we intend to clarify our position on during the next days. We think there are arguments on both sides so a position will have to be taken."

The hole first appeared on the Red Bull RB8 at the Bahrain Grand Prix in April, and at the time the FIA approved the car as legal. The hole was also not questioned during post-qualifying and post-race scrutineering at the Monaco Grand Prix.

However, with teams openly not happy with the design of the floor of Red Bull’s RB8, it remains to be seen as to whether the FIA will review it’s decision on the legality of the car as the F1 fraternity gears up for the Canadian Grand Prix.

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