Rumours Red Bull using F1 flexi-floor are “total rubbish”

The issue first emerged in the porpoising technical directive (TD) issued by the FIA prior to the British Grand Prix, which gave details of plans for stricter monitoring of floor flexing.

The TD also gave details of how the governing body would use an aero oscillation metric, or AOM, to measure porpoising and bouncing.

The new requirements were due to be imposed at the French GP, following two races of research in Britain and Austria.

However, after a discussion at Friday’s F1 Commission it was confirmed that the application of the TD has been postponed until Belgium, the first race after the summer break.

In the meantime there will be further debate about the definitive wording in the technical advisory committee.

Intriguingly, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says he would have preferred the TD to be applied at Paul Ricard, as originally planned.

“I would have liked it to happen immediately,” he told Autosport. “Because it can have a performance impact. And so now it’s fine, you just need to say well, that’s it.”

Speaking earlier to Sky Sports, Wolff had made it clear that he believes some rivals have been taking advantage of floor flexing.

“I think so,” said the Austrian. “I haven’t been able to squeeze the skids of certain teams. We’re looking at our competitors.

“And probably, I would have wished that the TD comes in a little bit earlier, but it is what it is. So in Spa we won’t see that anymore.”

Horner made it clear that the primary focus of the TD is the monitoring of oscillation, something his team has not suffered from as much as rivals.

“The technical directive is obviously focused on the bouncing and the porpoising which certain cars have struggled with,” Horner told Sky Sports.

“I think it’s due for further discussion in the [TAC], which is the correct forum for it.

“Obviously we saw at Silverstone, no cars were really affected by it. The argument being, is it the duty of the competitor to make sure their car is safe, or is it the duty of the FIA to ensure that the competitor runs their car safely?”

Regarding the suggestions from Wolff about flexing floors, he said: “That’s total rubbish. Total rubbish. I think we’re getting issues mixed up here.

“Maybe he’s referring to, I don’t know, cars that are around him at the moment. I have no idea, but I have absolutely no issues or concerns on our floor.”

Red Bull chief engineer…