Pierre Gasly is happy with FIA’s porpoising verdict: “I’m glad that they took our complaints seriously”
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Pierre Gasly is very happy with the FIA's quick reaction to the driver's complaints regarding porpoising.
Pierre Gasly had a fantastic weekend in Baku, just like last year. While this year he could not put himself on the podium, he was still 5th, and teammate Yuki Tsunoda would likely not have been far behind if not for a rear-wing issue, which meant that the Japanese driver had to pit to have it taped by the team. AlphaTauri certainly had pace in Baku.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was an eventful one. Max Verstappen won the race, Red Bull completed another 1-2 – and both Ferraris retired, which did wonder for Red Bull’s championship charge. But there were also other significant developments among which one was perhaps the most significant: The FIA’s porpoising verdict.
This came after several drivers complained of the new generation of cars’ porpoising in Azerbaijan. Aside from Pierre Gasly, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton all spoke out against it. Lewis Hamilton had suffered from back pain all throughout the weekend and looked very uncomfortable following the race on Sunday.
Also Read: Pierre Gasly bashes FIA: “I am compromising my health”
Pierre Gasly was pleased with the FIA’s quick reaction
The FIA was quick to react to the drivers’ complaints following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. It has introduced a new set of regulations that gives an acceptable amount of ‘vertical oscillations’ based on the car’s vertical acceleration. While this would probably make for a more comfortable ride, not everyone is pleased with the decision.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, and the reigning world champion, Max Verstappen are among that pack and were disappointed by the verdict. Helmut Marko felt that it was Mercedes who made the FIA want to change the rules, which he feels is unfair. Pierre Gasly, however, does not particularly agree. As quoted by GPBlog, the Frenchman said:
“I’m glad that the FIA took our complaints seriously and reacted so quickly. What we experienced in Baku clearly went too far. I went to our physio twice a day for treatment. Even I needed another massage before flying back. And I can still feel my back.”
The Frenchman stressed the importance of the matter and cited the health concerns of the constant bouncing (or porpoising). He refused to accept his back being ‘abused’ for the duration of the race. It remains to be seen what effect this will have on the teams, and if Red Bull, who do not have a lot of porpoising, will pull even further ahead of Ferrari and Mercedes.
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)