Overview
- FIA guidance now forbids using the MGU-K emergency cut-off for performance, with officials warning they will check telemetry and issue penalties for suspicious activations.
- Teams had triggered the emergency shutdown moments before the finish to skip the required gradual power taper, keeping the electric motor at full output until crossing the line.
- Technical reports named Mercedes and Red Bull as users of the method, and Panorama said Mercedes-powered customers plus Racing Bulls must also change their procedures.
- The move followed safety complaints, with incidents at Suzuka where cars slowed to a crawl after shutdowns and Alex Albon stopped on track, prompting Ferrari’s formal objection.
- Rules require the electric motor to shed 50 kW per second to avoid a sudden drop, and the exploit delivered an estimated 50–100 kW edge, which the FIA says it will police more closely through software and data checks.