FIFA sticks to ‘bouncing’ rule update despite top teams’ opposition
FIFA sticks to ‘bouncing’ rule update despite top teams’ opposition: Formula One is imposing a new rule to reduce head trauma risks, explicitly shown by the FIA. With that goal in mind, they will not tolerate a risk of long-term head trauma at the Belgian Grand Prix.
This decision by F1 teams has not been popular as the domino effect of what was done for safety purposes can also affect the competitive order. The results will be seen this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, but should not detract from what has been a steadfast commitment for driver safety.
Many have expressed frustration with cars “porpoising” on the track as a result of ground effect acting out of phase with new regulations. The aerodynamics had a difficult time turning, which led to violent jerking when narrowly missed by race cars; car bouncing is caused by insufficient ride heights and uneven surfaces.
Drivers voiced concern over the boisterous ride frequency and the questionable long term effects it would have on riders. After a weekend with an abnormally high number of crashes, some were adamant that this trouble needed to be stopped.
The FIA have introduced two new items this weekend, one of which is an algorithm that measures the jarring and sets a threshold beyond which teams cannot go. The second item is a tightening of rules around the rigidity of the chassis floor.
This is where Ferrari and Red Bull had the advantage over Mercedes. They were able to find a more flexible way to equalize weight distribution, but ultimately, it has allowed the rest of the field to catch up by forming a torque win.
Red Bull and Ferrari, of course, objected to the rule change. Nikolas Tombazis is the FIA’s poacher-turned-gamekeeper leading their efforts. The Greek currently works with Benetton, McLaren and Ferrari as an aerodynamicist and heads the FIA’s single-seater technical department. He has been unequivocal about how important the rule change was during Belgium GP weekend.
There are harmful effects from Baku, but there are also long-term physical health effects. We discussed this with medical experts who agree that we did not want to repeat the same mistakes and address these concerns.
The F1 principal Toto Wolff read the scientific conclusions of the FIA’s report of concussions suffered by drivers and concluded it was clear that a frequency of 1-2Hz, over several minutes, can lead to brain damage. The Mercedes team has sustained 6-7Hz and more than several hours.
The FIA introduced this advanced safety standard to limit the potential for damage and the math behind it is fairly simple, with cars fitted with an accelerometer detecting all impacts over 3G rocking the car. In their equation, force is converted into a value of energy, keeping vehicles below that power level per kilometer.
The FIA was not required to put their agreement in place, given it was a safety issue. It is highly likely that the teams would have stated an objection had they been consulted, but the FIA refused to consider keeping things unchanged and opted for change instead of doing nothing. Their efforts may have hopefully finally put paid to the issues, following through on their pledge issued two weeks prior and ensuring that they were swiftly applied science.
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