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The FIA has introduced new regulations for Formula One teams after several drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, suffered pain following last weekend’s Azerbaijan GP; Follow the Canadian GP live on Sky Sports all weekend, with the race starting at 19:00 on Sunday
Last updated: 06/16/22 18:51
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Craig Slater discusses the news the FIA will take to reduce porpoises in the interests of driver safety
The FIA has introduced new measures to target “porpoises” amid concerns over the safety of Formula One drivers ahead of this weekend’s Canadian GP.
Heavy car bouncing was an unexpected problem following the introduction of F1’s all-new design rules for 2022, with Mercedes being one of the teams hardest hit.
Lewis Hamilton has complained about the problem all season but with the bumpy Baku road circuit at last weekend’s Azerbaijan GP exacerbating the problem and leaving the seven-time world champion in severe post-race pain, F1’s rules body has taken action.
The technical guideline issued by the FIA will force teams struggling with porpoises to change their car’s setup to protect their drivers, introducing a limit on the amount of ‘vertical vibration’.
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Hamilton says he prayed for the end of the Azerbaijan GP because of the pain he was suffering
The FIA statement reads: “Following the eighth round of this year’s FIA Formula One World Championship, in which the phenomenon of aerodynamic oscillations (“porpoises”) of the new generation of Formula One cars and their impact during and after Once again visible after the race on the physical condition of the drivers, the FIA , as the governing body of the sport, has decided that in the interests of safety it is necessary to intervene and require the teams to make the necessary adjustments to reduce or avoid this to eliminate the phenomenon.”
The FIA added that it would also launch an investigation – in consultation with the teams – into how to reduce porpoises “in the medium term”.
It was also explained that the decision was influenced by concerns about the pain and distraction caused by porpoises causing potentially distracting drivers and high-speed accidents.
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Lewis Hamilton was clearly in pain getting out of his car after his Mercedes had further porpoise problems in Azerbaijan, prompting Toto Wolff to apologize to him
Hamilton, along with Mercedes team-mate George Russell and team boss Toto Wolff, had discussed safety concerns since the start of the season, but as more cars suffered in Baku support came from the paddock almost everywhere.
Several other drivers spoke out, with McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo insisting he was ready to push through changes to protect his rivals.
However, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner questioned the genuineness of Mercedes’ complaints in Baku, claiming the Silver Arrows were trying to force a change in regulations that would help them close the gap on their rivals after a hugely disappointing start to the season close.
Mercedes could not match the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari, with the eight-time reigning constructors’ champion repeatedly hampered by porpoises and jumps.
“No short-term help for Hamilton”
Sky sports news’ Craig Slater explained that the short-term rule changes are unlikely to improve Mercedes’ performance.
Hamilton has not finished on the podium since the season opener and is already 88 points behind Championship leader Max Verstappen.
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Hamilton says he prayed for the end of the Azerbaijan GP because of the pain he was suffering
“I don’t think that will help Lewis Hamilton at all in the short term,” Slater said.
“What they’re saying is you can’t let your car vibrate like that.
“Teams that don’t have a problem with that don’t need to make any changes. Teams like Mercedes whose car is bouncing need to effectively increase the height of the car to stop the bouncing it will also slow down the car.
“So in the short term it doesn’t look like it’s going to help Lewis Hamilton or Mercedes at all.”