Montreal, Canada- Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of motorsports has announced it is taking steps on safety grounds to reduce the high-speed bouncing that has affected drivers this season.
The bouncing sensation (aerodynamic oscillations or porpoising) certain cars have been suffering has had a negative impact on the drivers.
“Following the eighth round of this year’s FIA Formula 1 World Championship, during which the phenomenon of aerodynamic oscillations of the new generation of Formula 1 cars, and the effect of this during and after the race on the physical condition of the drivers was once again visible, the FIA, as the governing body of the sport, has decided that, in the interests of the safety, it is necessary to intervene to require that the teams make the necessary adjustments to reduce or to eliminate this phenomenon.
In a sport where the competitors are routinely driving at speeds in excess of 300km/h, it is considered that all of the 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.
A Technical Directive has been issued to give guidance to the teams about the measures the FIA intends to take to tackle the problem,” read a part statement from FIA.
Porpoising is caused by the floor of the car being sucked so close to the ground at a speed that downforce is temporarily lost until the car’s ride height increases, before pulling it back down again.
It is a phenomenon that has returned to Formula 1 for the first time in 40 years this season as a result of the new car designs introduced to make the racing closer.
The ninth round of the 2022 season takes place in Canada this weekend at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
