close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Ricciardo, McLaren, Testing

McLaren hint at element of luck with porpoising escape

Ricciardo, McLaren, Testing — Photo: © LAT Images

McLaren hint at element of luck with porpoising escape

The team seemed to experience the least amount of bouncing in Barcelona

Google Make us your Google favorite

McLaren believes its lack of porpoising compared to other teams on the grid is "not by design" and down to the stability of the chassis.

The porpoising phenomenon, where the cars bounce vigorously in a straight line, is caused by the ground-effect philosophy of the new aerodynamic regulations.

This affected some teams more than others during pre-season testing in Spain with McLaren seemingly escaping as the least-affected team.

Speaking in a media briefing including GPFans, McLaren technical director James Key said: "I'd love to make out that we've been super clever, but the reality is this is very difficult to simulate.

"It involves tyre stiffnesses, the heave modes of the car as clearly, if it's in tune with the chassis, that's when you really see it go off when you've got a natural frequency on the scrubbed mass as well.

"I don't think it's entirely like that, I think the stability of the car does play its role in how well the car handles on loading in various conditions, but I'd be lying if I said it was by design.

"It's a phenomenon that we're all going to get used to from track running with the reality of these cars and hopefully iron out as time goes on."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Carlos Sainz told F1 rival team move is a 'no-brainer', but one driver stands in his way

Carlos Sainz told F1 rival team move is a 'no-brainer', but one driver stands in his way

  • 51 minutes ago
FIA steward admits Max Verstappen makes it hard to be punished: 'He challenges us'

FIA steward admits Max Verstappen makes it hard to be punished: 'He challenges us'

  • 1 hour ago
Toto Wolff admits Mercedes F1 cost cap fears with new upgrades plan

Toto Wolff admits Mercedes F1 cost cap fears with new upgrades plan

  • 2 hours ago
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton ridiculed as 48-race plan revealed

F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton ridiculed as 48-race plan revealed

  • 3 hours ago
F1 star announces engagement with gorgeous proposal pictures

F1 star announces engagement with gorgeous proposal pictures

  • Yesterday 22:30
Red Bull F1 design chief outlines plan to win in 2026

Red Bull F1 design chief outlines plan to win in 2026

  • Yesterday 21:45

Just in

09:44
Carlos Sainz told F1 rival team move is a 'no-brainer', but one driver stands in his way
08:59
FIA steward admits Max Verstappen makes it hard to be punished: 'He challenges us'
08:15
Toto Wolff admits Mercedes F1 cost cap fears with new upgrades plan
07:15
F1 News Today: Lewis Hamilton ridiculed as 48-race plan revealed
2-8
F1 star announces engagement with gorgeous proposal pictures
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

FIA steward admits Max Verstappen makes it hard to be punished: 'He challenges us' Latest F1 News

FIA steward admits Max Verstappen makes it hard to be punished: 'He challenges us'

1 hour ago
Toto Wolff admits Mercedes F1 cost cap fears with new upgrades plan Mercedes

Toto Wolff admits Mercedes F1 cost cap fears with new upgrades plan

2 hours ago
Lewis Hamilton gearing up for F1 title showdown: 'Ferrari are pushing hard' Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton gearing up for F1 title showdown: 'Ferrari are pushing hard'

Yesterday 20:54
Adrian Newey is building an Aston Martin title winning car and here is the F1 star who will drive it F1 Analysis

Adrian Newey is building an Aston Martin title winning car and here is the F1 star who will drive it

Yesterday 18:45
Ontdek het op Google Play
x