Toto Wolff: ‘Porpoising TD will solve another problem’


Toto Wolff: ‘Porpoising TD will solve another problem’

Toto Wolff

The new generation of F1 cars came with its own quirks, and the return to ground-effect technology meant that porpoising (and bouncing) were among those quirks. Mercedes were certainly having a tough time with the porpoising, and the image of Lewis Hamilton holding his back after the race comes to mind immediately.

Following a very bumpy Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where many drivers complained of the porpoising and bouncing, the FIA announced a technical directive to limit the amount of ‘vertical oscillations’ just ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, and it is now set to go into effect in Belgium.

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Reactions to this were mixed. Ferrari and Red Bull were certainly not happy, with Christian Horner and Helmut Marko even implying that the FIA were favoring Mercedes with the directive, while Mattia Binotto had also expressed his displeasure. Even Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen had chimed in. While the directive is supposed to reduce porpoising, Toto Wolff thinks that the TD will affect another aspect.

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Toto Wolff points out the ‘flexible board’ of some teams

Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff

As reported by NextGen-Auto, Toto Wolff explained that ‘some’ Formula 1 teams use ‘boards’ that can go up to the floor, giving them greater flexibility. Earlier, Wolff had expressed his ‘shock’ at the same thing, and he now reveals even more about how the ‘board’ works. Wolff said:

“Some teams have boards that disappear when the car hits the floor. The reason for having the planks is to reduce the wear and tear on the floorboards that you can get. And if a plank can miraculously disappear into the floorboard, that’s clearly against the rules.”

The fact that some teams have a more ‘flexible’ system in place than others will also be one of the aspects addressed by the technical directive, according to Toto Wolff. “The second thing is a board that can wobble or move more than the tolerance allows.” The tolerance is two millimeters. “Even if a board moves several millimeters in the car, it’s obvious that you gain in performance there too.”

Toto Wolff also said that this will be clarified in the regulations for next year’s car, and announced soon. In another interview, Wolff had also stated that Mercedes are now on top of their porpoising woes, which will certainly provide them with a boost for France and Hungary, before the directive comes into place in Belgium.

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