Formula 1 cars will continue to use titanium skid blocks for the rest of the season, even though sparks from them have caused small grass fires next to the track.
The decision comes after tests with stainless steel skid blocks, which were tried as a safer alternative. These tests took place during last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Earlier this year, practice at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka had to be stopped four times, twice because sparks from cars started grass fires. A similar fire also happened during practice at last year’s Chinese Grand Prix.
The FIA said on Wednesday that titanium blocks will stay as the standard for now, but all teams must also have stainless steel ones ready in case more fires happen during the season.
The FIA added that more tests with stainless steel blocks will take place at selected races to help them decide if a change is needed in the future.
