Larger audiences than ever are expected to welcome Formula 1 as it returns to Canada after a two-year absence imposed by the pandemic.

The series returns to Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal as its officials attempt to rectify the situation that has literally hurt Mercedes and its 37-year-old multi-champion.

On Thursday, the FIA ​​finally acknowledged that there is a “rebound” effect which has affected many of the new cars in 2022, mainly those from Mercedes and Britain’s seven-time F1 monarch Lewis Hamilton.

However, F1’s governing body only acted after the Briton limped out of his car in Baku, Azerbaijan, after three days of turmoil on the circuit.

“My back is killing me!” Hamilton shouted at one point in radio communication during Sunday’s race.

The Briton and his partner George Russell had warned that bouncing on vehicles put their health at risk and could also create safety risks.

Hamilton said he managed to finish the race purely on adrenaline.

“It was just for that. I gritted my teeth when I felt the pain. It was just for the adrenaline,” he said. “I can’t express the pain I felt. In the end, we just pray that the race is over.”

On Thursday, Hamilton posted a photo of physiotherapist Angela Cullen helping him stretch. He said it was the first day he could run a bit after the Baku race.

Almost simultaneously, the FIA ​​announced the new technical directive which will require teams to lift their cars off the ground in an effort to reduce bouncing.

The FIA ​​said it had decided “to intervene after consultation with their doctors in the interest of the safety of the drivers”.

“In a sport where competitors routinely drive at speeds in excess of 300 kilometers per hour (186 mph), it is considered that all of a driver’s concentration should be focused on this task,” the FIA ​​said. “Excessive fatigue or pain experienced by a pilot could have significant consequences if it leads to loss of concentration.

“Furthermore, the FIA ​​is concerned about the immediate physical impact on the health of the drivers, several of whom have reported back pain after recent races,” the governing body said.

Hamilton, who lost the F1 title last year to Max Verstappen in a controversial season finale, has struggled all year with Mercedes’ new car. He is sixth in the drivers’ championship and has only been on the podium once.

He was also consistently outclassed by his young teammate Russell. The 24-year-old, also British, is fourth this season with three podium finishes.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has questioned whether Mercedes is exaggerating rebound issues to mask his car’s inferiority in 2022. Others have said the team itself could mitigate the wear and tear of Hamilton and Russell with some tweaks which, however, could make the car less competitive.