After last Sunday’s Formula 1 race in Baku, Lewis Hamilton once again made it clear that something needs to be done about the bouncing of the cars over the asphalt, also known as ‘porpoising’.
The fact that the FIA takes the complaints of the seven-time world champion seriously is apparent from the fact that the motorsport federation announced on Thursday that it would take action. Good news for Mercedes, you would say, but according to Formula 1 reporter Louis Dekker it can also work to the disadvantage of Hamilton’s racing stable.
“Ferrari, Mercedes and various other stables are much more bothered by bouncing than Verstappen’s team. And if they are obliged to raise the ride height slightly, it will be at the expense of the lap times.”
“That is the dilemma of many teams at the moment: they can solve the bounce quite simply by raising the car, but then they lose a few tenths per lap. And that is in a sport that revolves around fractions of seconds a decision you’d rather not make.”
Regulation changes
Due to last winter’s rule changes in Formula, some teams are experiencing bouncing, as the airflow under the car is very different than before.
“During the race I was just praying it would be over soon,” said Hamilton after he finally struggled out of his car after the eighth race of the season. “I can hardly describe the pain. This was my toughest race ever.”
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