New regulations create new FIA technical inspection

The sporting and technical regulations in F1 have changed dramatically. In order to test whether the teams are complying with the new technical rules, the FIA has devised a new system for technical inspection.

Like every year, some components of different F1 cars have already been scrutinized by the competition during the F1 test days. The mirrors and side pods of the Mercedes W13 are a good example. With the new regulations, the teams have been moving in different directions. It is up to the FIA to check the teams to see if they have stayed within the limits of the regulations with these developments. A new set of regulations also requires a new inspection and the FIA has been working hard on this.

FIA has 'state of the art' scanner

A new laser scanner has been developed by the FIA that will contribute to the technical inspection that takes place every weekend during a Grand Prix event. Because the aerodynamics on the F1 car have changed so dramatically, FIA technical director Nicholas Tombazis says a new all-electronic system has been chosen to test the cars. Tombazis says the cars are tested via a computer for geometry and secondly they test the physical aspects of the cars by scanning them and holding them up against the computer model.

With the new way of scanning, the cars can be controlled down to the millimeter. This will make it more difficult for teams to operate outside the rules. The FIA will conduct spot checks during the weekend as in previous years. With the scanner, the FIA has the ability to do quick inspections and to do extensive inspections. The umbrella motorsport body wants to work towards a situation where they subject at least every car to such a quick inspection every weekend.

FIA Single-Seater Technical Director Nikolas Tombazis explains the new scrutineering process pic.twitter.com/0H2O4N5Wqh

— FIA (@fia) March 17, 2022