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FIA intervenes in F1 car porpoising saga on safety grounds

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John S:
I am heartened that with it's intervention the FIA seems to realise that teams can solve this issue themselves and as a result are looking to require that teams make the necessary adjustments to reduce or to eliminate this phenomenon when it reaches a certain limit.

Bruised & discombobulated drivers currently running onboard bouncing cars might soon find themselves with a smooth ride, but perhaps also having to chase lap times.

Below is a report from TheRace.com of what the FIA directive looks like.

The FIA has referred to two short-term means by which the technical directive will allow it to tackle the problem.

The first is described as “closer scrutiny of the planks and skids, both in terms of their design and the observed wear”.

This would suggest that any evidence of the underside of the car hitting the ground too aggressively could lead to instructions to alter set-ups, which could include the need to raise the ride heights that would mitigate the savagery of the impacts.

The second part is described as “the definition of a metric, based on the car’s vertical acceleration, that will give a quantitative limit for acceptable level of vertical oscillations”.

“The exact mathematical formula for this metric is still being analysed by the FIA, and the Formula 1 teams have been invited to contribute to this process.”

The timescale for the implementation of this metric has not been made public, but The Race understands the FIA hopes it can be implemented immediately within the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.

There is no lack of data for the FIA to refer to, as in addition to that gathered by the car the drivers also wear an in-ear accelerometer that can measure the forces they are subjected to.

Safety is the primary reason for this intervention, with the FIA also citing the potential effect of these oscillations in terms of the driver’s concentration. Such safety concerns make it possible to make immediate changes to the way that the regulations are applied.

The FIA has also expressed concerns about what it calls the “physical impact” on the drivers.

“The FIA has decided to intervene following consultation with its doctors in the interests of safety of the drivers.

Couretsy therace.com, today

rmassart:
It will be interesting to see how Mercedes apply these rules. Will they end up slipping further down the field? I can't see them going quicker by having to increase their ride height.

John S:
Holy Cow! According to Pitpass.com FIA may disqualify non compliant cars if ride height adjustment fails to work.  :swoon:

"It's understood that new limits on the oscillations will be set before FP3 and if teams cannot provide a set-up deemed to be safe they will be forced to increase the ride height on their cars by 10mm.

Should cars still be found to be oscillating over the set limit they would face disqualification."

Quote from longer piece courtesy Pitpass.com, Thur 16th June.

Willy:
Glad to hear the FIA is wading in on this as they caused the issue with the rules changes.
I realize they were made to allow cars to be closer to each other for passing but it did not work well and this change should have occurred sooner.

Jericoke:
I think the new rules are very fair, and address any concerns anyone could have.

I am frustrated that the FIA is again favouring Red Bull, but 'it's racing'

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