Series officials determined to solve the issue porpoising before it gets even more out of hand.
- Porpoising is where the car bounces violently up and down owing to the extreme levels of downforce suddenly stalling,
- Some teams have been more adversely affected than others
- A Technical Directive has been issued by the FIA in which it explained that there will be a closer scrutiny of the planks and skids.
Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has taken action in a bid to reduce—and eventually eliminate—the porpoising that has been present in the championship this season.
Porpoising is where the car bounces violently up and down owing to the extreme levels of downforce suddenly stalling, and reattaching, with the cycle repeating itself.
Some teams have been more adversely affected than others and while the phenomenon is linked to the ground effect that has returned under new-for-2022 regulations, some of it has occurred due to the set-up window teams believe is optimal for their car performance.
However after last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, at the high-speed bumpy Baku track, several drivers voiced concerns over their long-term health.
The FIA has now taken interest after consulting with its doctors.
The bouncing in Baku affected some more than others, as Lewis Hamilton will attest.
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In a statement issued Thursday it outlined that “in a sport where the competitors are routinely driving at speeds in excess of 300 km/h, it is considered that all of a driver’s concentration needs to be focused on that task, and that excessive fatigue or pain experienced by a driver could have significant consequences should it result in a loss of concentration.
“In addition, the FIA has concerns in relation to the immediate physical impact on the health of the drivers, a number of whom have reported back pain following recent events.”
As the decision has been taken on safety grounds it does not require the majority of Formula 1 teams to reach an agreement—as is the case under the regulations.
A Technical Directive has been issued by the FIA in which it explained that there will be a closer scrutiny of the planks and skids, both in terms of their design and the observed wear.
In addition a metric will be calculated, based on the car’s vertical acceleration, that will provide a measure for an acceptable level of porpoising. The exact mathematical formula for this metric is still being analysed by the FIA, and Formula 1 teams have been invited to contribute to this process.
It is expected to be enforced for the business end of the weekend, following feedback post-practice, with severe punishments if a team exceeds the set limit.
Applying a limit is likely to affect the teams that have been most susceptible to bouncing this year, as they will consequently have to raise their ride height further, compromising performance. Mercedes has been the team to suffer the most while Ferrari has also been susceptible on occasion. That could play further into the hands of Red Bull, which arrives in Canada 80 points clear of the opposition after five wins in succession.
The FIA will also hold meetings with teams over the coming weeks in order to define measures that will reduce the propensity of the cars to porpoise in the medium-term.
“It was a very tough race, I started feeling my back 10-15 laps in and at the end it was quite tough, the back pain,” said Haas’ Mick Schumacher, speaking on Thursday. “The problem with it is with the bouncing we experience, it’s that you lack the possibility to recover; usually you’d have the straights to relax whereas now you’re constantly trying to tense because you get so thrown around in the seat, so every lap you get hit with the belts, and you start having marks here (on the shoulders) and here (on the chest).
“It’s a very different type of muscles that you use, which is something one has to get used to but also something we shouldn’t have to get used to as it will have an effect in some years’ time.”
Keyword: What the FIA Is Doing to Combat Formula 1’s Bouncing Syndrome