The FIA has introduced new regulations for Formula One teams after several drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, suffered pain after last weekend’s Azerbaijan GP; Watch the Canadian GP live all weekend on Sky Sports, with the race starting at 7pm on Sunday
Last updated: 6/16/22 6:51 PM
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Craig Slater talks about news that FIA will take steps to reduce porpoise in the interest of pilot safety
Craig Slater talks about news that FIA will take steps to reduce porpoise in the interest of pilot safety
The FIA has introduced new measures to try to fight the “porpoise” in the face of concerns about the safety of Formula 1 drivers, ahead of the Canadian GP this weekend.
The severe rebound of the cars has been an unexpected problem after the introduction of the new F1 design regulations for 2022, with Mercedes one of the most affected teams.
Lewis Hamilton has complained about the problem throughout the season, but with the crashed Baku circuit at the Azerbaijan GP last weekend aggravated the problem and left the seven-time world champion in severe pain afterwards. of the race, the F1 regulator has taken action.
The technical directive issued by the FIA will force teams fighting with the porpoise to modify the configuration of their car to protect their drivers, with a limit on the level of “vertical oscillations”.
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Hamilton says he was praying for the Azerbaijan GP to end because of the level of pain he was suffering
Hamilton says he was praying for the Azerbaijan GP to end because of the level of pain he was suffering
The FIA statement said: “After the eighth test of this year’s FIA Formula 1 World Championship, during which the phenomenon of the aerodynamic oscillations (” porpoises “) of the new generation took place Formula 1 cars, and the effect of this during and after the race on the physical condition of the drivers became visible again, the FIA, as the governing body of sport, has decided that, in the interests of safety, action must be taken to require the teams to make the necessary adjustments to reduce or eliminate this phenomenon. “
The FIA added that it would also launch an investigation – in consultation with the teams – into how to reduce the porpoise in the “medium term”.
It was also explained that the decision was influenced by concern about the pain and distraction caused by the porpoise that can distract drivers and cause crashes at high speed.
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Lewis Hamilton was clearly in pain after getting out of his car after his Mercedes suffered more porpoise problems in Azerbaijan, prompting Toto Wolff to apologize to him.
Lewis Hamilton was clearly in pain after getting out of his car after his Mercedes suffered more porpoise problems in Azerbaijan, prompting Toto Wolff to apologize to him.
Hamilton, along with his Mercedes teammate George Russell and team manager Toto Wolff, had been talking about safety issues since the early stages of the season, but with more cars suffering in Baku, support almost universal came from the paddock.
Several other drivers spoke out, and McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo insisted he was ready to help push for changes to protect his rivals.
However, Red Bull team director Christian Horner questioned the authenticity of Mercedes’ complaints in Baku, alleging that the Silver Arrows were trying to force a change in regulations that would help them reduce difference with his rivals after a very disappointing start to the campaign.
Mercedes has not been able to compete at the pace of Red Bull and Ferrari, with porpoises and rebounds that have repeatedly hindered the eight-time defending constructors’ champions.
“No short-term aid for Hamilton”
Craig Slater of Sky Sports News explained that changes to the short-term rules are unlikely to improve Mercedes’ performance.
Hamilton has not been able to get on the podium since the first race of the season, and is already 88 points behind world leader Max Verstappen.
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Hamilton says he was praying for the Azerbaijan GP to end because of the level of pain he was suffering
Hamilton says he was praying for the Azerbaijan GP to end because of the level of pain he was suffering
“I don’t think that helps Lewis Hamilton at all in the short term,” Slater said.
“What they are saying is that you should not allow your car to vibrate like this.
“Teams that have no problem with it will not have to make any changes. Teams like Mercedes, whose car bounces up and down, will have to increase the height of the car, this will stop the bounce and also reduce the speed of the car. car.
“So really, in the short term this doesn’t seem to help Lewis Hamilton or Mercedes at all.”