Mick Schumacher reveals porpoising seatbelt concern
Mick Schumacher reveals porpoising seatbelt concern
Haas driver Mick Schumacher has revealed the bouncing experienced at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was so vicious that he was left with bruising from his seatbelts.
The German was one of a number of drivers to complain of discomfort following the race at the Baku City Circuit, with the bumpy track surface and low ride heights of various cars contributing to mechanical bouncing, with others suffering from porpoising.
Whilst most complaints were focused on back pains, Schumacher has detailed a further problem that arose in the VF-22 last weekend.
"It was a very tough race and I started feeling my back 10, 15 laps in, and in the end, the back pain, in general, was quite tough," said Schumacher.
"The problem is, with the porpoising and bouncing we're experiencing with those heavy bumps on the straight is that you lack the possibility to recover.
"Last year, you would have had the straights to relax but this year you were constantly tense because you're so thrown around in.
"Every lap I'd get hit with the belt and you'd start having marks here and here [pointing to an area just below shoulders] and also with the crutch belt.
"So it's a very different type of muscles you use which I guess is something one has to get used to."
Schumacher concerned by lasting damage
Ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, the FIA announced it was introducing steps to tackle the aggressive bouncing in the interests of driver safety.
Hinting at fears of long-lasting damage, Schumacher explained: "I think it's something we shouldn't have to get used to because it will have an effect in some years' time.
"I've heard a story about a driver in the 70s when they had the same issues with porpoising, and a driver had to retire from Formula 1 because he was so much in backpain.
"So definitely something that they're going to have a lack at, and I'm sure Formula 1 and the FIA is doing their best to try and solve it."
Additional reporting by Ian Parkes
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
EXCLUSIVE: World champion reveals 'logical' winning F1 Hamilton combination
- 12 minutes ago
Why F1's RADICAL proposed points change is a positive step
- 2 hours ago
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
- Today 13:57
Red Bull already sending parts to F1 race MONTHS away
- Today 12:57
Stats show SURPRISE F1 team dominate in crucial category
- Today 11:57
Schumacher reveals what F1 pundits are NOT allowed to say about Red Bull
- Today 10:57
Related news
Ex-F1 boss names Canadian Grand Prix HEROES
Ferrari issue kept causing car to almost STOP during Canadian Grand Prix
Ferrari's true pace REVEALED by F1 expert after Canadian GP
Alonso's Canadian GP advantage over Hamilton EXPLAINED by F1 expert
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860