F1’s 2023 technical regulations to be submitted to World Council this week. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed on Monday that the 2023 F1 technical regulations have been drafted and will be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council in a few days’ time for approval.
After several months of discussions between drivers, team managers, FIA representatives and Formula One representatives about the technical regulations for the 2023 season – which are supposed to eliminate, or at least limit, the effect of porpoising on the cars – an agreement has been reached between these different parties, the FIA president announced on Monday.
“After discussing the issue of porpoising with the 20 Formula One drivers and 10 team bosses, I am pleased to confirm that this week we will submit the updated 2023 technical regulations to the WMSC to address this issue, in addition to the measures already taken for the remainder of this season,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem on Monday.
The 2023 technical regulations, several decisions have been taken to reduce the rigidity of the floor and the vertical movements of the cars:
- Raising the edges of the floor by 25 mm
- Raising the diffuser groove under the floor
- Introduction of more stringent floorboard lateral flexibility tests
- Introduction of a more accurate sensor to measure aerodynamic oscillation
It is now up to the World Motor Sport Council to validate the 2023 technical regulations (which should be a simple formality), which will allow the Formula 1 teams to begin their development work on next season’s cars.
The phenomenon of porpoising appeared this season with the introduction of the new technical regulations. It is a process of vertical rocking or bouncing of the cars on the straights. The FIA decided to intervene after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where the issue appeared to be particularly intense in some cars.
Having discussed the porpoising issue with all 20 @F1 drivers & 10 team principals, I’m happy to confirm that we will be submitting updated 2023 Technical Regulations to the WMSC this week to address this, in addition to the measures already taken for the remainder of this season
— Mohammed Ben Sulayem (@Ben_Sulayem) August 8, 2022
After Baku, some drivers complained about the effects on their health and the risks to their safety. Other teams, however, were more divided on the FIA’s intervention in this context.
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile has therefore confirmed that a technical directive will come into force after the 2022 summer break (for the Belgian Grand Prix) with the aim of limiting porpoising. The aim is to introduce a limit value for vertical oscillation that cars must not exceed.
In the 21st century whining works. Good Job Mercedes! Years ago in F1 the Teams Engineering Department would have figured it out.
Would it not be easier to just give hamilton two or three more titles like he got his last six, ask him to leave, and then go on with racing? Maybe then the wolff-baby can show us that he can be more that just a lh-cry baby?