LThe FIA ​​has introduced changes to the F1 Technical Regulations (yet to be defined) to reduce or avoid kickback, known in the jargon as “porpoising” or porpoising. After the complaints from Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton to Bak and throughout the season, of a problem that affects them them and Ferrari and McLaren mainly (three of the 10 teams), the Federation proposes some measures and the study of others to correct the problem.

The check of the underbody of the car, at the level of its boards and skids (the parts which rub against the ground), will be carried out in stride free practice 3 of the Canadian GP this weekend, For what the championship may be on the verge of a turnaround Completed.

Red Bull, which corrected the effect of the Bahrin tests, and Ferrari itself, are against changing the regulations, because the problem has a solution known to all, which is thelift the car. What happens is that the advantages are lost and that is something that Mercedeswho has not found the key on his W14, does not want to bend.

The official FIA statement released on Thursday reads as follows:

“Following the eighth round of the 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, during which the phenomenon of aerodynamic oscillations (porpoising) of the new generation of Formula 1 cars was analyzed, and the effect of this During and after the race, in terms of the physical condition of the drivers, which was once again visible, the FIA, as the governing body of the sport, decided that, in the interest of safety, it It was necessary to intervene to require the teams to make the necessary adjustments to reduce or eliminate this phenomenon.

was issued a technical guideline to guide teams on the steps the FIA ​​intends to take to resolve the issue. these included:

1. A more detailed examination of the boards and runners (central part of the cabin floor), both from the point of view of their design and the wear observed.

of them. The definition of a metric, based on the vertical acceleration of the car, which will give a quantitative limit for an acceptable level of vertical oscillations. The FIA ​​is still working on the exact mathematical formula for this metric, and Formula 1 teams have been asked to help with this process.

In addition to these short-term measures, itthe FIA ​​convenes a technical meeting with the teams define measures that reduce the propensity of cars to present this type of phenomenon in the medium term.

The FIA ​​decided to intervene, after consultation with their doctors and in the interests of the safety of the pilots. In a sport where competitors regularly drive at speeds in excess of 300 km/h, it is believed that the full concentration of the driver must be focused on this task and excessive fatigue or pain experienced by the driver could have significant consequences. on its performance. should it cause a loss of concentration. Additionally, the FIA ​​is concerned about the immediate physical impact on the health of drivers, some of whom have reported back pain following recent events.

controversial measure

The key to measurement is that it will not be put to the vote of all the teams, as on other occasions, since it is a matter of security, as already cataloged by the FIA. I could also have told Mercedes that if your pilots are subjected to vibrations and possible physical damage, it is because the team and the pilots themselves agree, because they could raise the height of the car to the ground and the bouncing would disappear.

It’s more a question of what some interpreted the new regulations better than others and now they’re going to be penalized for it, give an opportunity to someone who mistake in the design of your car.

Once again, the credibility of the championship, with a change of rules in the middle of a match, may be involved.

Possible effects on the network

After measuring the wear of the central resin pad, which is located at the bottom of the floor of the cars, and quantifying the intensity of the rebounds, the FIA ​​could set a minimum height, for all cars, above the ground, both for the Classification and for the Race. It is already noted that it could be an additional 10 millimeters of rise (1 cm), as a standard measurement, although this is not officially confirmed,

The consequences are unpredictable Now it depends on how each team approaches the problem and the particularities of their cars. Ferrari could be one of the injured, being one of the cars most affected by the rebound, at least in the visible. For Red Bull, it’s unclear if that would get in the way, but it’s one of the lowest running at the moment from the ground.