The new cars are causing back problems for Lando Norris
The McLaren driver has admitted to suffering from recurrent back problems since the introduction of the new ground-effect cars in 2022.
In the press conference before the start of the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Lando Norris spoke about his back problems caused by Formula 1.
« I’ve had a lot of trouble with my back, I’ve encountered numerous problems over the past 12 months or so. I’ve had to have quite a few seats made and train much more to try to strengthen my lower back, the Briton described. A statement that is obviously not reassuring coming from a young driver who is currently only in his fifth season in a Formula 1 cockpit.
The current generation of single-seaters evolves very close to the ground and is very rigid so that the tunnels located under the car’s floor generate the highest levels of downforce. Also, drivers have particularly suffered from the infamous marsouinage effect last year, and this is still the case this year. As a result, constant shocks to the back. « This is partly due to the car and its rigidity. I had a lot of trouble. », describes Norris, on the origins of his pain.
Performance at the expense of pilots’ health?
The Briton acknowledged that he would not be opposed to a return to « more flexible cars, like in 2019, 2020, and 2021 », the years of his first three seasons in Formula 1.
On the subject, the McLaren driver made a very interesting remark about the possible improvement of this situation: « This would certainly be improved in one way or another by regulations and not by teams, because teams wouldn’t make (a car) more flexible if it was slower. »
The issue of performance at the expense of the health of high-level athletes arises, especially since several have recently complained. Carlos Sainz, for example, explained last year that « 10 more years like this would be difficult ».
