Double Hazard at Baku Leaves F1 Fans Fuming Over Dangers of 2022 Regulations

The year 2022 has been a season of changes for the F1 world. One of the major introductions was the game-changing 2022 F1 car. The car was designed to have better racing and allow for better overtaking. However, the new generation of cars faces a huge problem during racing.

Termed as porpoising, the driver’s head bobs up and down continuously and repeatedly on a straight while his car screams down the track. This porpoising is caused by the repeated loading and unloading of the car due to the sheer downforce accelerated by the speed of the F1 car.

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The porpoising effect felt by the drivers is rapid and extreme and has recently taken a toll on the drivers. Mercedes driver George Russell has already mentioned the issue. Moreover, the porpoising can lead to drivers losing their grip and control of the car and hitting the wall at high speed.

Porpoising is caused by the repeated loading and unloading of the underbody of the car. Because of the speed of an F1 car, this occurs at a very fast frequency. The bumping sensation felt by the driver is rapid and can cause him to lose control of the car.

How does the new generation of F1 cars pose to be a health hazard?

The porpoising effect has taken a toll on the drivers lately. From Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas everyone has voiced their opinions on it. Among them, George Russell was one driver who put up his thoughts on the physical side effects of porpoising. Russell stated, “The bouncing, it really takes your breath away. It’s the most extreme I’ve ever felt it.”

The former Williams driver further conveyed, “I really hope we find a solution and I hope every team struggling with the bouncing finds a solution, because it’s not sustainable for the drivers to continue. This is the first weekend I’ve truly been struggling with my back, and almost like chest pains from the severity of the bouncing.”

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Most importantly, the fans also voiced their concerns regarding the toll porpoising can take on the driver’s health. It’s a no-brainer for fans to understand that it takes a huge toll on the body, “like turbulence on an airplane, going up and down the whole straight,” as expressed by Charles Leclerc.

As F1 is in Baku this weekend, the long straight is the perfect place to see how bad porpoising is. Slowly and steadily this is becoming a major issue in F1. It’ll be interesting to see what steps the governing body takes to get the better of this damaging effect.