Autosport Plus

The saga that questions FE's soul

OPINION: Technology innovation is a hot topic in many walks of life and motorsport categories. But it can also be controversial. This is the story of a long-running saga that has led to questions about a key aim of a high-profile championship for its governing body

Technology developments being outlawed are nothing new in motorsport. In Formula 1 alone, the list of banned developments is extensive.

Ground effect, six-wheeled cars, flexible wings, traction control, active suspension, mass dampers, and x-wings are just some of the innovations no longer permitted in grand prix racing. The cars are not even allowed to be painted differently within a single two-car team.

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Author Alex Kalinauckas

Alex Kalinauckas is Autosport's Grand Prix Editor, covering every Formula 1 race since the start of 2020. After completing a master's degree in journalism at Goldsmiths College University of London in 2014, he worked for a range of motorsport and technology publications while covering national racing as an Autosport freelancer.

A lifelong motorsport fan - no one in his family can explain quite how or why such a development first occurred - Alex joined the Autosport staff in April 2017 as the magazine’s Assistant Editor covering Formula 2 and GP3, before being made Formula E correspondent and Autosport.com’s Plus Editor in March 2018. He lives in north-east London and is constantly frustrated by the Central Line.