The International Automobile Federation has revealed that the new rule will be implemented at Paul Ricard at the end of July instead of this weekend at the British GP
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) will limit how much the Formula 1 teams' cars can bounce starting at the French Grand Prix. The FIA has defined a metric, the Aerodynamic Oscillation Metric (AOM), which will be used to regulate the effects of porpoising, which has caused headaches for several teams, but most notably Mercedes.
In a press release, the FIA confirmed that it has already determined the metrics that will be used and that the 10 teams have already been told what the limits will be. The teams will have the British GP and the Austrian GP to prepare before the race at Paul Ricard at the end of the month. The body also promises to set parameters for the wear and stiffness of the wooden plate underneath the car.
In the last round, at the Canadian Grand Prix, the FIA issued a technical directive to regulate porpoising, allowing the installation of an additional rope on the side of the cars to prevent the phenomenon after complaints from several drivers. The measure caused controversy in the paddock, especially from Ferrari, who claimed that the technical directive should only be to provide clarification on the rules, not to change them.
For the Italian team, any change, even if it was in the name of safety, would have to be approved first by the World Motor Racing Council. Alpine was also unhappy to see Mercedes with the part in the car. Otmar Szafnauer reinforced Ferrari's opinion, saying that technical guidelines were not part of the regulations.
The FIA ruled out the use of the floor support for the British GP this weekend. The expectation was that the metric to regulate the porpoising would be implemented already at Silverstone, but the entity decided to collect more data and will bring the new regulation to the French GP, which is scheduled for July 24.