Jun.13 – Mercedes is playing “the usual political game” by pushing for rule changes to end the phenomenon of so-called porpoising in F1’s new ground effect era.
Lewis Hamilton was in visible back pain after Sunday’s Azerbaijan GP – but not everyone was convinced.
“He sees the camera, and then starts walking away with his hand on his back,” said well-known Dutch commentator Olav Mol on Ziggo Sport.
“He wanted everything to see that because they want the FIA to change something, because they say it is too dangerous. That’s what they are trying to achieve.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says seven time world champion is in “bad shape” after Baku, adding that there is “definitely” a question about whether he will be fit for Montreal this weekend.
“We can see that it is not muscular, it goes deep into the spine,” said the Austrian. “The solution is to have someone on reserve, which we do at any race.”
Behind the scenes last weekend, Formula 1 teams met to discuss potential rule changes designed to stop porpoising – as did the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.
“Even us,” said George Russell, referring to the collective group of F1 drivers. “I think we voted against it.”
“We want change but who knows what that change is,” Hamilton’s teammate added. “Nobody’s looking to take advantage of this, we’re just looking for a safer, easier solution.”
AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly agreed: “We discussed the problem at the drivers’ meeting. I hope the FIA finds a solution, because we don’t want to be walking with a stick at the age of 30.”
But even Red Bull team boss Christian Horner suspects that Mercedes may be playing a political game.
“If we had difficulties like they have, I would tell the riders to swear as much as possible on the radio too. This is part of the game,” he said.
As for the drivers’ meeting, Wolff claims: “All the drivers agreed that this is a problem except for one – Alonso.”
According to 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, a solution is already available for Mercedes – it’s just that implementing it will make the team even slower.
“I understand their concerns but there is a solution for Mercedes,” he told the Dutch publication Formule 1. “Raise the car’s ride height.
“Nobody is forcing them to run so low, but Wolff’s call to change the rules is, in my opinion, nothing more than the usual political game in Formula 1,” said Villeneuve.
“Mercedes will do anything to get closer to Red Bull and Ferrari, just as they wanted to change as little as possible in recent years.”
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