Despite fire concerns, the FIA confirms titanium skid blocks will remain for 2025, with steel blocks on standby if needed.
The FIA has ruled that Formula 1 cars will retain titanium skid blocks for the remainder of the 2025 season, following tests conducted during the Spanish Grand Prix.
The decision follows concerns that sparks from the titanium skid blocks underneath the cars may have contributed to grass fires that disrupted the Japanese Grand Prix weekend. A test was therefore carried out in Barcelona, with one car from each team running steel skid blocks to assess the differences.
Steel blocks dissipate heat more quickly than titanium but are also heavier. The FIA had considered mandating steel blocks at circuits with grass bordering the track, such as Montreal, Silverstone and Spa, while allowing titanium to remain at street circuits or venues with concrete run-off areas, like Baku or Abu Dhabi.
However, after evaluating the data from the Barcelona test, the FIA has now stated that titanium blocks will remain in use for the rest of the 2025 season, though teams must carry steel blocks as a contingency.
“Titanium skid blocks will remain the mandatory material for the remainder of the season. However, teams are required to have stainless steel blocks available at all events, as they could become mandatory if grass fires similar to those seen at Suzuka earlier this year occur.”
“Further tests on stainless steel blocks will be conducted at selected events throughout the season to allow for more detailed assessment.”
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