The FIA has ruled that the holes in the floor of Red Bull's RB8 must be removed before next weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had earlier stated that he believed that the modification was legal, however a statement from the FIA has now officially deemed otherwise.
The statement read: "It has been argued that, as it is not explicitly stated that fully enclosed holes cannot be located in a surface lying on the step plane rearward of a line 450mm forward of the rear face of the cockpit template, then they may be located in such areas.
"We disagree with this view and consider it implicit that fully enclosed holes may not be located there. If they were permitted the opening part of the second paragraph of Article 3.12.5 would be superfluous.
"Furthermore, locating a fully enclosed hole partly or wholly within the 50mm band which is exempt from the requirements of Article 3.12.10 along the outer edges of the surfaces lying on the step plane does not exempt it from the requirements of Article 3.12.5, those parts lying outboard of Y650 are still parts of the surfaces lying on the step plane."
The hole is located in front of the rear wheels.
