Credit: Modified version of Hamilton Canadian GP 2010 by Pitlane02 – licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Let’s explore the 10 banned F1 tech that Formula 1 had to ban!
When something gives a team an unfair advantage, the FIA usually steps in and bans it. We have seen this many times in the past.
How much of a difference did these 10 banned tech make, and why did they have to go?
1. Active Suspension – Williams F1 team
Active suspension used a network of sensors and hydraulics to adjust a car’s ride height and balance in real-time, depending on speed, cornering, and track surface.
So why was it banned? It was seen as too much of an engineering advantage for wealthier teams. Williams used it to devastating effect in the early ‘90s, especially with the FW14B and FW15C.
The difference in qualifying was amazing, shaving up to 0.7 seconds per lap by maintaining ideal aerodynamic balance.
In the race, it gave a major edge in tyre management and consistency over stints.
It was banned for the 1994 season for driving costs too high and giving too big a performance leap.
2. Fan Car (Brabham BT46B)
One of the most controversial stories so far, a literal fan at the back of the car that sucked air out from underneath, increasing downforce without adding drag.
Why was it banned? While the team claimed the fan was for engine cooling, it clearly offered insane grip. The car debuted in Sweden in 1978, dominated the race and was pulled immediately — just one race!
During qualifying, it could have revolutionized aero, especially in slower corners.
During the race, the downforce advantage made tyre wear practically non-existent.
It was legal by the letter, not the spirit, of the rules. One race, one win, then done, over and never used again!
3. F-Duct
What was it really? A system that allowed the driver to block a duct inside the cockpit using their knee or hand, stalling the rear wing to reduce drag on straights.
They banned it because it was unsafe, overly complex, and difficult to regulate. Teams had different versions, and drivers needed to take one hand off the wheel to operate it.
Big help in qualifying, with around 0.3–0.5 seconds per lap on high-speed tracks.
For the race, it helped with overtaking and fuel saving by reducing drag.
Banned in 2011 for safety and cost reasons, it was used just one season but not enough to beat Red Bull in 2010!
4. Double Diffuser
Something that made Brawn champion that year, a clever reinterpretation of the diffuser rules in 2009 that allowed more airflow and thus more downforce.
The reason to ban it? It gave Brawn GP, Toyota, and Williams a big edge in early 2009. Other teams cried foul.
During qualifying it added 0.4 to 0.6 seconds per lap initially.
And in race trim delivered more rear-end grip and better tyre wear.
It was banned at the end of 2011 after being deemed to contradict the intent of new aero regulations.
5. Mass Damper
Alonso’s dominance back in 2005, Renault mounted a damper system inside the nose cone that stabilized the car over bumps and curbs.
Reason for the ban? Technically legal, but FIA considered it a “movable aerodynamic device.”
Quali impact: enhanced corner entry stability, possibly worth 0.2–0.3 seconds.
Race benefit? It protected tyre performance and improved consistency.
Renault had to remove it mid-2006 season, which affected their dominance, but Alonso still secured the title.
6. Launch Control
Fully automated software that controlled the clutch and throttle for optimal starts.
Banned for? Took the driver out of the equation. F1 is about human skill, after all.
Advantage at the start: could gain 2–3 positions on the first lap without fail.
Reduced start errors; made the first lap too predictable.
Banned in 2004 to return starts to driver skill.
7. Traction Control
Electronics that prevented wheelspin under acceleration, especially out of corners.
Made the cars too easy to drive and erased driver input — that’s why it was banned. Also hard to police.
Helped drivers push earlier out of corners in qualifying.
Massive boost in wet conditions and long stints during the race.
First banned in 1994, came back, then banned again in 2008.
8. Turbochargers (Original Era)
Turbo engines in the ’80s produced over 1,200 horsepower in qualifying trim.
Too powerful, too dangerous, too expensive. Speeds were getting ridiculous, that’s why they were banned.
Some teams had as much as 300 extra horsepower in qualifying.
Turbo lag was an issue, but raw power ruled during the race.
Banned in 1989, but returned in a much milder hybrid form in 2014.
9. Water-Cooled Brakes (Lotus 88)
Teams added water tanks for brake cooling, which were “accidentally” emptied mid-race, shaving off weight.
A clever workaround for minimum weight rules, so it was banned for that reason.
Didn’t help directly in qualifying but let the car run heavier legally.
The weight-saving trick made cars quicker as the race progressed.
Ruled out as an abuse of technical regulations.
10. Driver Aids like Automatic Gearboxes and Fully-Automated Systems
Early 2000s saw gearboxes that almost drove the car themselves.
Too much automation. FIA stepped in to maintain the sport’s human element — ban reason.
Made lap times extremely consistent, but drained the sport of unpredictability, in quali and race.
Most of these were reined in post-2004 to keep the focus on the driver.
In Summary
Each banned tech in F1 came from a place of genius. But many blurred the lines between machine and man, sport and science. Whether it was a fan that vacuumed the track or code that launched a car perfectly every time, these innovations forced the FIA to step in and rewrite the rules — again and again.
Want to see what F1 will ban next? Just watch the teams get clever… and wait.
About the Author
