Skid block

A skid block is a protective plate attached to the bottom of a race car that prevents the vehicle from running too close to the ground and helps regulate performance for safety reasons.

Also known as a "plank," the skid block serves multiple important purposes in motorsport. First, it acts as a safety device by forcing cars to maintain a minimum height above the track surface. This prevents teams from making their cars dangerously low to gain extra speed through increased downforce, which can make vehicles unstable and harder to control.

The skid block also protects the car's underside from damage when the vehicle scrapes against the track surface or rides over curbs during aggressive driving. Without this protection, the car's floor could suffer serious structural damage that might compromise safety or performance.

In Formula 1, skid blocks must be made from specific materials including carbon fiber and titanium, and they have strict size requirements. When new, they must be 10mm thick, but racing officials allow them to wear down to 9mm during a race due to natural contact with the track surface.

Race officials regularly inspect skid blocks after races and qualifying sessions to ensure teams are following the rules. If a skid block has worn down below the minimum 9mm thickness, it means the car was likely running illegally low to the ground, resulting in disqualification.

This has happened to several high-profile drivers, including Michael Schumacher in 1994 and Lewis Hamilton in 2023, showing that even top teams can face penalties for skid block violations.

The titanium components in skid blocks create the dramatic sparks you often see flying from Formula 1 cars during night races, adding an exciting visual element to the sport while serving their practical regulatory purpose.