The flat funds are stiffened in Spa to avoid bouncing
The 2022 regulatory overhaul is overall a success. However, the violent rebounds have been its downside. The FIA has subsequently outlined the changes that should be made to the cars.
The “porpoising” was as unexpected as it was violent. The 2022 rules prioritized ground effect over aerodynamic support to promote tighter racing.
However, the drivers have complained greatly about the back pain caused by this phenomenon. The bounces also occur at high speeds, which damages the undertray as well. The FIA then inspected the cars and took measures, including declaring the undertrays of certain teams illegal, as they were too flexible in the center. Indeed, until now, only the edges of the undertrays were taken into account by the FIA.
Thus, last week, the World Automobile Council announced that some regulation points would change this weekend: « The rigidity in all circumstances [Editor’s note: of the central part of the floor] mentioned in the previous paragraph must not be less than 15kN/mm. » This new paragraph in the updated technical regulations of Formula 1 as of August 16, 2022, is supplemented by a paragraph regarding the installation of sensors.
« Competitors will have to demonstrate vertical stiffness at this location and design the installation of sensors placed in holes on the floor board. » confirms paragraph 3.15.8 b of the technical regulations.
The dolphins’ presence was reduced during the season, however, these measures will need to prove their effectiveness in improving the safety of the pilots. In 2023, additional measures will be implemented to complement those already in place this weekend.
Including an increase in the profile of the flat funds by 15mm, an increase in the size of the diffuser’s air intake to reduce ground effect, an increase in the rigidity of the diffuser, and the installation of control sensors.
