Formula 1

F1 News: FIA Steps In On Porpoising But Suspicions Arise Around Mercedes’ Complaints

After all but Fernando Alonso complaining of porpoising issues, it’s no surprise that the FIA has eventually stepped in admitting that it will be consulting with doctors “in the interests of safety of the drivers”, and will be looking over the “design” and “observed wear” of the cars of the 2022 grid.

They will also be setting a “quantitative limit” on the bouncing experienced by cars, but ex-F1 driver Ralph Schumacher isn’t impressed.

“I don’t know how the FIA plans to do this,” he wrote for Sky Deutschland.

“But the formula can’t be the same for every car and every aerodynamic approach because one team has solved it better, another team has solved it worse.

“And you can’t punish those who have done a good job,” he added. “Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly have complained, but I don’t recall Max Verstappen saying anything.”

– Mercedes AMG F1 Media

Mick Schumacher, the nephew of Ralph Schumacher, is one of the drivers complaining about the effects of porpoising.

“It’s so bad that you get marks on your body,” he told the press. “I’m glad the FIA has now responded to ensure our safety and health.

“It will be interesting to see if the measures will change the balance of power in the midfield.”

Haas chief Guenther Steiner has added that he agrees that F1 had to step in:

“Technical changes during the current season are always tricky.

“It inevitably affects the balance of power and then the question arises about whether that is fair.

“Of course it’s about safety, but it could have been corrected simply by raising the height of some people’s cars.”

– Mercedes AMG F1 Media

He did however admit that he believes there’s a method to the complaints from Mercedes.

“In Formula 1, there is always suspicion in such cases – you always think there is something behind it,” he said.

“But I think anyone who thinks like that in this case is going a bit too far.”

Alex Harrington

Alex started racing at a young age so certainly knows his way around a car and a track. He can just about put a sentence together too, which helps. He has a great interest in the latest models, but would throw all of his money at a rusty old French classic and a 300ZX. Contact: alex@grandtournation.com
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