Baku he emphasized, more than the other stages, on the problem which threatens to drown the Mercedes: the porpoise. The team asks loudly that we arrive at a modification of the regulation for a matter of security. But the table is divided in half between those who want to reach a compromise and those who think that those who have worked better would be penalized excessively, obtaining a more than legitimate advantage. A delicate situation for the FIA, that must decide how, but above all if, to intervene.
Mercedes calls for more safety and invokes the FIA
Mercedes is currently the team that is suffering the most from the problem linked to the excessive hopping of the single-seater, and not just in terms of performance. We will never forget the effort of Lewis Hamilton when getting out of your car after the Baku Grand Prix. Just the 7 times world champion admitted to having lived in Azerbaijan, one of the most difficult races of him since the beginning of his career in Formula 1.
The problem a Baku it also manifested itself for other teams, albeit to a lesser extent. Pierre Gasly, for example he had to go to his physiotherapist due to the excessive physical effort that this stage required. In such a long championship the risk is that these backs, these necks so strong and robust could break.
To throw thealarm immediately after the Baku Grand Prix has arrived George Russel, spokesperson for Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA). The driver knows what he's talking about since he's driving one of the two offending single-seaters, even if, unlike Lewis, he can rely on a younger physique.
“I think it's only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs. A lot of us can barely keep the car straight over these bumps." Russell said. The Baku track obviously underlined the problem of porpoising, but the prospects don't seem to improve for the weekends to follow, starting with that of Montreal. In short, the problem will recur on all tracks that include long straights, unless a compromise is reached.
Red Bull and Ferrari spokesmen for the "NO"
Let them find the compromise. Basically that's what says la RedBull. From the moment one team suffers an obvious problem compared to others, it is that team that needs to get back on track, not the others having to slow down to compact the group.
The 2022 season started with a big unknown, linked to new regulation and the return of ground-effect single-seaters and all that unpleasant situations that could have manifested on the track rather than the simulator. Here you are, porpoising is one of them.
There are teams that have worked to limit it as much as possible, succeeding, and others who did not. However, everything falls within what is allowed by the game from the great technical challenge. Red Bull believes that finding a compromise between all the teams would mean losing an advantage given precisely by this challenge. Change the rules would mean give Mercedes one more chance, which she also thinks Ferrari. Finding a “democratic” compromise to an issue like porpoising, which doesn't affect teams equally è practically Utopian, unless an imposition comes from above, or by the FIA.
“I think it would be unfair to penalize those who did a good job versus those who missed the target slightly - commented on Red Bull team principal Christian Horner - the FIA should only intervene if there were to be a real safety problem on the entire starting grid. You get to choose how high you want the car to run, right? A car that is not safe should never be raced. If it concerns isolated teams, then it is a problem that the team in question must deal with ”.
La Mercedes he would therefore have to raise his single-seater inevitably running into a performance deficit. Among other things, Horner does not rule out a strategic game by Mercedes in playing with the complaints of the drivers worldwide. Which would elicit a reaction from the FIA. "What if it happened with my pilots? I would have told them to complain as much as possible over the radio. Its part of the game. The easiest thing to do is complain. Each team can choose”.
A signal from the FIA is expected
The political struggle on the subject of porpoising can only be appeased with a signal from the FIA, who, were he to accept Mercedes' proposal, would inevitably end up under accusation for favoritism. A situation that is not new to us, but which makes us understand how delicate the decision is.
The German newspaper of Car, engine and sport however, he reported some indiscretions from the paddock: “The FIA is said to have taken these concerns seriously and plans to launch an investigation to get to the bottom of the matter. The FIA is trying to dialogue with drivers and technical directors. But with the latter he already knows that he will have little success, because no one will want to expose themselves, given that 10 millimeters more in height costs several points of aerodynamic load. The FIA wants to have a complete picture, consult specialist doctors and collect data from other series, for example from rallies. The category can be an example, as the drivers don't drive on flat tracks, even though the speeds are lower than in Formula 1”.
We'll see how the situation develops and if the FIA yields to the compromise requested by Mercedes.
Statements source: Motorsport.com, FormulaPassion