FIA finds porpoising causes brain damage, likely to intervene

Throughout this season in Formula 1, we’ve seen cars bouncing around at high speeds. While at the start of the season it happened to a lot of cars, many teams have sort of managed to control it. But the FIA is now looking to end it completely.

According to Mercedes Team Boss Toto Wolf, the FIA conducted a medical study that revealed that a frequency of 1-2Hz, sustained over a few minutes, can lead to brain damage. And in Formula 1, the drivers experience  6-7Hz over several hours. This can lead to the possibility of a Formula 1 driver getting irreversible brain damage. Not something that you want the sport to be known for. 

Toto Wolff says an FIA medical report that warns about the risks of brain damage due to excessive porpoising shows changes are needed.

“A frequency of 1-2Hz, sustained over a few minutes, can lead to brain damage. We have 6-7Hz over several hours.” https://t.co/tYRdwoHTGL #F1

— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) August 1, 2022

While many people have said that Mercedes has fixed the bouncing issue, Toto wolf has made it clear that it depends on the track. Smooth tracks help the car more than uneven tracks.  

So the FIA has decided to step in and we could see them enforcing a minimum oscillation test at the Belgium grand Prix. 

They are also rumoured to be raising the car height for next season’s regulations to combat the bouncing issues.