McLaren throw backing behind controversial FIA rule change
McLaren throw backing behind controversial FIA rule change
McLaren technical director James Key has confirmed the team is supportive of controversial floor regulation changes for 2023 in the interest of driver safety.
F1 driver welfare became a talking point after numerous drivers complained about the ferocity of bouncing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in June, with the FIA rushing to introduce a technical directive for Canada.
Measurements were taken in order to establish a metric to regulate vertical oscillations and acceleration loads exerted on the drivers, but this point was almost bypassed in a TD was an imminent change to floor skids and planks.
The TD was given a second draft with compliance expected after the summer break, leading to complaints from Red Bull, which believes Mercedes has been lobbying for change for a competitive benefit.
For next season, the FIA is looking to update floor regulations - including raising the floor edge - on the grounds of safety to combat porpoising but the plans have reportedly been met with resistance from over half the grid.
Asked how the changes could affect the team, Key explained: "We have got to find out what the changes are at this point.
"There has obviously been discussion on the porpoising issue and the FIA have raised a concern over driver welfare and safety, which is definitely the correct approach."
Confirming McLaren's backing of the changes, Key added: "We are supportive of this, I don't think you can rope back on safety issues - I know there is concern from some teams.
"As a team that hasn't particularly suffered from porpoising, we are still in favour of it because we think it is the right thing to do."
McLaren detail impacts of regulation changes
A regulation change will not come without impacts on development, especially when such a debate is taking place so deep into a season.
But Key has insisted there will not be any widescale damage to the development of the 2023 car.
"I think with the sort of things that have been proposed, they are big enough to put fresh research into it," he said.
"Not everything is going to carry over in terms of your aerodynamic knowledge, there will be a few impacts on packaging and that sort of thing.
"But personally, I don't see it as a radical change enough to think that we have got to re-lay the car out now because all of these things require something different.
"I think there is going to be a similar thread to what we have learned this year but there will be a bit of fresh research based on things we have already established - floor height for example, if that changes, it is going to be broadly the same floor, just a bit higher, so what does that mean for us? Rather than something totally unfamiliar."
Additional reporting by Ian Parkes
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Why F1's RADICAL proposed points change is a positive step
- 1 hour ago
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
- 3 hours ago
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
Hamilton struggles pinned on Mercedes by team's OWN driver
- Today 09:57
Related news
Young F1 star set to make McLaren debut in injury replacement
F1 star reveals how Verstappen and Hamilton rivalry influenced key decision
Norris reveals CRUCIAL save that kept him at McLaren
F1 star hints future Ferrari move after Hamilton influence
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