As part of the FIA’s attempt to eradicate excessive porpoising in the current generation of Formula 1 single-seaters, the governing body will introduce new measures from the French Grand Prix. As well as the aerodynamic oscillation metric (AOM) limit that teams will not be able to exceed, the international federation is also taking note of ground flexing tricks.
It is suspected that some teams have found clever ways around the maximum 2mm that can flex bottoms and boards, and that extra movement could help aerodynamic performance as it allows cars to go closer to the tarmac without the risk of crashing. abrade the floor or cause rebound with blows.
When some details were revealed at a meeting of the Formula 1 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), certain teams were surprised, such as Mercedes, who recognized him through their boss, Toto Wolff .
“Nobody had a clue until the FIA brought up the issue at the last Technical Advisory Committee, which was a big surprise for everyone. What is in the regulations and the intention of it is quite clear, there is no argument that can deflect the thing more, so at least it’s a surprise, or rather a shock,” said the Austrian.
For his part, the director of track engineering of the Silver Arrows, Andrew Shovlin , said that the ban on flexible floor tricks would help level the competition, pushing back other teams.
“When it came out, we realized there were opportunities that we might not have taken or exploited. So it won’t affect us in the way we drive our car, it might affect our rivals, and that brings us a little closer. more,” he said.
However, some have questioned Mercedes’ approach, such as Max Verstappen, who believes that the Germans are the team that has shown the most flexible ground so far this season.
After arriving at the Austrian track of the Red Bull Ring, he spoke about the support of those from Brackley for changing the funds: “What I do not understand very well is that they complain about flexible floors while theirs is the one that is the most” .
Although much of the attention on this flexible region of the car has been focused on Ferrari and Red Bull, both teams insist that they will not have to make any changes to their cars as a result of the new restrictions imposed by the FIA.
