NEW DELHI: The FIA has announced a revised implementation of Technical Directive TD015 following recent tests with stainless steel skid blocks during the Spanish Grand Prix. This comes amid growing safety concerns after sparks from titanium blocks ignited grass fires, particularly during this year’s Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, forcing multiple red flags.
Skid blocks—commonly referred to as planks—were first introduced in 1994 as a crucial safety measure following the tragic deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger. The rule was designed to ensure minimum ride height and reduce ground effect dangers. To prevent the plank from wearing down excessively and failing mandatory thickness tests, metallic skid blocks were later mandated.
Initially made of tungsten, these blocks were replaced by titanium in 2015. The change added to the sport’s visual appeal, especially under night lights, as the titanium created a dramatic shower of sparks. But that very spectacle has led to unintended safety hazards.
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While the sparks were visually stunning, they’ve increasingly become a fire risk. At the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, sparks from the titanium blocks started grass fires that forced multiple race stoppages and brought the issue to the FIA’s attention.
A proposed switch to stainless steel skid blocks—which generate significantly less heat than titanium—was tested at the Spanish Grand Prix. One car from each team was fitted with the steel blocks for comparative analysis.
“Following analysis of the stainless steel skid block trials in Barcelona, the FIA has revised the implementation plan outlined in TD015,” the governing body said in an official statement.
“Titanium skid blocks will remain the mandated material for the remainder of the season. However, teams are requested to have stainless steel skid blocks available at all events, as they may become mandatory if similar grass fire incidents occur as seen in Suzuka early this year.”
The FIA also confirmed that additional evaluations will take place:
“Additional testing of stainless steel skid blocks will be conducted at selected events throughout the season to support further evaluation,” the statement added.
For now, titanium remains standard, but the FIA’s contingency plans suggest a proactive shift in prioritizing fire safety without compromising structural integrity or race performance.
