Several pilots discussed the issue of pouring, and on the danger of the continuous jolts of the cars, more evident a Baku. Among those who took sides against the FIA directive to solve the problem highlighted by Mercedes, there is of course Max Verstappen, always ready to poke his former rivals.
Porpoising? problem of those who can't handle it
Mercedes is the team that most of all would need a provision that imposes an obligation on everyone to lift their cars. Why? The W13 when forced to lift the car off the ground loses terribly against Red Bull e Ferrari while in case of pouring instead it is the one who suffers more than the others. The request made to the FIA was accepted but on one condition that risks penalizing the three-pointed star team among all others. According to new directive a team that demonstrates a pouring excessive would be forcedfor security reasons, to raise the car, inevitably losing performance.
Also the Ferrari risks, since, in comparison with Red Bull it is the car that suffers the most from this problem, even if the drivers almost never complained. Max Verstappen he is certain of the potential of his RB18 and precisely for this reiterates the concept already shared by Leclerc, throwing a dig at the opponents who risk seeing the two run away Red Bull.
"FIA directive? I understand the need to solve the jumping problem, ma I never agree with the changes underway if there are those who can't handle it. Just lift the cars off the ground…”
The answer of Hamilton, the most physically affected by the problem, is not long in coming: "Interesting to hear different points of view on porpoising (referring to Verstappen's words), but it is important that the FIA is working to get rid of the problem. I don't think there will be a big performance change, but maybe I'm wrong."
We need to improve on the flying lap
Red Bull is proving to be frighteningly consistent. The fight with Mercedes last year didn't give due consideration to the growth of this team which in a few years has returned to the top of the world, rebuilding itself after the Vettel era. The season is still long but both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez I'm fighting for the world championship and both continue to bring points after points in the constructors' championship as well.
Perez is one of the best surprises of this 2022. The Mexican has made a big step in quality and his results prove it, even if the team sometimes doesn't assist him, and tries to limit him for the good of the team, but also of Max.
“The pit stop in Baku? It's part of the game, the team is pushing hard and let's hope the problem doesn't happen again. We think we can be fast here in Montreal” says the Mexican at the press conference.
However, there is one thing on which Ferrari proves to be almost unbeatable, especially with Leclerc: the flying lap.
“The season is still long, – Max says – so many things can happen we have to focus on the flying lap. We have to focus on that. The race pace is always very good. It will also be a new challenge, the one on the Montréal circuit. Formula 1 hasn't been to Canada since 2019 and Max knows what it means for him to make a mistake on this type of circuit.
“Exploit the curbs? This year the cars are stiffer, it will be more difficult than in the past. But I can't wait to see what condition the track is in. "
