Sergio Perez reckons ‘dirty air’ is WORSE in the 2024 cars

The new regulations have not proven kind to drivers when it comes to overtaking.

Sergio Perez reckons ‘dirty air’ is WORSE in the 2024 cars

Sergio Perez (Via Imago)

FIA brought in the ground-effect regulations from the 2022 season onwards to increase the raceability. However, since its implementation, the teams have developed around the original concept of the regulations and have recorded an increase in dirty air. Following such developments, Sergio Perez has stated his concern after the race in Bahrain.

The regulations were brought in to lessen the turbulence produced by the lead cars and increase racing action. Moreover, it aimed to reduce the downforce loss from 50% to 20%. However, according to recent reports, this number is now close to 35% and is a major reason for the lack of racing action on the tarmac.

YouTube video

Subsequently, the Mexican has addressed this pressing issue during his media duties and stated:

FS Video
I saw Carlos, he lost DRS early on and he was just out of contention for a while. The car ahead going straight into the clean air, is basically going on his own, has to use more of his tyres, so it’s a bit of a disadvantage if you are fighting. I think, in places like Baku or even Jeddah… I think the racing is going to be different. It does create a difference to the car ahead in the first few laps. So, it’s going to be interesting, I think.
Sergio Perez said as reported by racefans

The 34-year-old finished 22 seconds behind his teammate, Max Verstappen in Bahrain. Moreover, Perez held off a charging Carlos Sainz as the Spaniard just finished two seconds behind him. The lack of racing action in the Bahrain GP has raised questions about the effect of dirty air and how overtakes were scarce throughout the race. Thus, the Mexican elaborated on how the effect of dirty air has worsened with the new cars.

What is Carlos Sainz’s verdict on the ‘dirty air’ situation?

The Ferrari driver was on a massive charge on Saturday and left his mark on the track by beating his teammate fair and square. The Spaniard scored a podium after being told that he wouldn’t race for the Scuderia next season. However, Sainz couldn’t take away the runners-up spot from the Mexican due to the turbulence caused by the RB20.

Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz (Via: IMAGO).

The Spaniard while addressing the media explained:

I was in a bit of an uncomfortable position, because you’re there in the two, three-second margin, which is where you get all the dirty air, but you don’t get the advantage of the DRS and the slipstream, so you’re just sliding a bit more.
Carlos Sainz said as reported by racefans

The 29-year-old mentioned how the 2024 cars start to slide under the effect of dirty air. Moreover, it doesn’t enable the drivers to take risks and can’t catch up to the lead car and get the benefit of the DRS.

The points mentioned by both Sainz and Perez are of major concern because if the FIA doesn’t intervene now, then the situation could worsen even more. The ball is in the decision-maker’s court as the drivers and fans wait to see what the FIA has to say in this matter and how will they resolve it before the implementation of the 2026 rules.

In case you missed it: