Mercedes to be hit hardest by FRIC ban

Championship leaders Mercedes are expected to be hit the hardest after the FIA controversially passed a rule that will ban the FRIC system. The Front and Rear Interconnected suspension system is run by 10 of the 11 teams but the FIA ruled on Tuesday that it will be banned from next week’s German Grand Prix.

Nico Rosberg, Mercedes W05 driving in Monaco

The only way it can be stopped is if all 11 teams fail to unanimously agree otherwise. Considering that Force India does not run it, it is highly unlikely that the ban will be suspended. An appeal can be lodged and Ferrari is reported to lead the way.

Mercedes run one of the most developed systems and it is believed that they will suffer more than most. In the mid-season test at Silverstone this week it has been noticeable how much work has been done on Lewis Hamilton’s car in the garage. After each run, his car was stripped down and a lot of work was being carried out.

It is expected that Mercedes will still be the fastest car at next week’s race but their advantage, which has often been a second per lap, should be trimmed. Cynics have suggested that the FIA are trying to make the season more interesting and cut Mercedes gap at the front. But as the championship leaders have the most advanced car and the best power-units, they still have the base to maintain their lead.

Marussia driver Max Chilton has suggested that the Mercedes system is the most complicated but added that his team have already managed to nullify the effects. There has been little reaction from the paddock but it is a decision that is not expected to have gone down well with the leading teams.

The FRIC system is designed to help stabilise the car as it goes through corners. However, the more developed systems are believed to have combated side to side movement, which is the reason some are suggesting it has been banned.

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