The "Plank" in Formula 1 Cars

Carlos Sainz driving the Ferrari SF-23 around COTA during the 2023 US F1 GP

In the high-speed world of Formula 1, where every millimeter and gram is meticulously optimized for performance, a seemingly simple wooden component plays a pivotal role in ensuring fair competition. This is the "plank" that is attached to the bottom of every Formula 1 car.

What is the Plank?

The plank is a flat, wooden board, approximately 10mm thick, that runs along the length of the car's flat bottom. Made primarily of a special type of wood known as Jabroc, it's designed to wear down over the course of a race, but only to a certain extent.

Purpose of the Plank

1. Regulation and Fairness: The plank ensures that cars do not run too low to the ground. A car that's extremely low can benefit from a significant aerodynamic advantage due to the ground effect, where air between the car and the road becomes compressed, creating more downforce and allowing the car to corner faster. The plank was introduced to prevent teams from exploiting this too aggressively and making the races dangerous.
2. Safety: By maintaining a minimum ground clearance, the plank prevents the car from "bottoming out." When a car bottoms out, it can lose traction and become uncontrollable, posing a risk to the driver and others on the track.

Inspection and Regulations

After each race, the plank is inspected for wear. There are strict regulations on how much wear is permissible. If a car's plank has worn down more than the allowed 1mm (except for two 50mm strips on either side), that car can be disqualified from the race. This makes teams cautious about their car's ride height and setup to avoid excessive wear and potential penalties.

Evolution and Controversies

The plank was introduced in the 1994 season, following the tragic events at Imola where Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger lost their lives. While it has since played a critical role in ensuring safety standards, there have been instances where teams faced controversies due to plank wear, often resulting in post-race penalties.

While it might seem unassuming, the plank is an essential component of modern Formula 1 cars. Not only does it level the playing field by regulating aerodynamic advantages, but it also plays a significant role in ensuring the safety of the sport's participants.