FIA introduce stringent 2023 porpoising measures as 'worsening' expected

Ian Parkes
Friday 15 July 2022 11:14

The FIA is to introduce more stringent measures to control porpoising for 2023 as it claims the effect is due to worsen on next year's F1 cars.

The decisions follow a meeting on Thursday of the Technical Advisory Committee that includes the FIA, Formula 1 and the technical directors of the 10 teams.

World motor sport's governing body has made clear its intent to reduce or eliminate the issue as it is considered to be a significant safety matter.

Via a statement, the FIA noted the following factors:

1. While the issue has been seemingly reduced in the last few races, they took place at circuits where the effect is expected to be lower than normal. Races, where this effect is expected again to be higher will take place in the coming months.

2. While the teams are understanding more and more how to control the issue, the tendency for 2023, with the cars developing more downforce, will most likely be a worsening of the effect.

3. The short-term measures put in place for 2022, starting at Spa [for the Belgian GP], are not necessarily considered to be the long-term solution to the problem.

From the race at Spa, there will be a stiffening of the plank skids, with a clarification due to be provided on how their wear will be measured.

Additionally, the FIA is introducing a metric which will quantify the bouncing and will have to stay below a prescribed value during the races.

The F1 teams will be able to use the metric from next weekend's race in France in order to learn its full implications on the set-up of their cars.

With regard to the steps that will be taken for 2023, they include: i) a 25mm raising of the floor edges; ii) a raising of the underfloor diffuser throat; iii) the introduction of more stringent lateral floor deflection tests; iv) the introduction of a more accurate sensor to help quantify the aerodynamic oscillation.

The measures are to be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council for consideration and approved shortly as the FIA deems it vital the F1 teams have clarity of the regulations in order to design their cars.