Toto Wolff is concerned Lewis Hamilton and other drivers could suffer from brain damage if the FIA refuse to implement more changes to address concerns regarding porpoising.
Mercedes have improved after a rocky start to the 2022 season, with both Hamilton and teammate George Russell getting on the podium at the last two races. In fact, Hamilton achieved his fifth successive spot on the podium after clinching P2 last time out at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton’s attempt to bounce back from his 2021 championship heartbreak with another title challenge was derailed by the Silver Arrows’ earlier struggles, primarily with porpoising. The octuple world champions had struggled with severe bouncing as their cars have been rattling uncontrollably following the new regulations and car designs implemented for the 2022 season, rendering Mercedes uncompetitive when it comes to fighting for wins.
Their issues concerning porpoising and bouncing was addressed by the FIA, but the governing body only intervened following an official request from the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association. Wolff believes more action is needed from the sport’s governing body as drivers could suffer from the intensity of the bouncing later in the season.
His comments come after seven-time world champion Hamilton was in visible pain clutching his back when he stepped out of his W13 at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Wolff said: “I still believe that the FIA and all of us must do something about it.
“Frequencies of 1 to 1 hertz that last for a few minutes can cause brain damage. We have 6 to 7 hertz for several hours.”
Naturally, Mercedes’ rivals have hit back at Wolff’s suggestions for further intervention. Red Bull boss and Wolff rival Christian Horner insisted he ‘didn’t see any issues’ regarding porpoising at the French Grand Prix or over the past few races after the 48-year-old criticised the FIA for getting involved.
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Wolff rejected Horner’s comments. He added: “That (argument) doesn't count because Silverstone, Paul Ricard and Austria aren't exactly tracks we bounce that much on anyway. I don't want to come to Spa or some of the later races where the track isn't as smooth as a conventional racetrack and we didn't do anything about it. There is all this talk about lobbying in both directions, but what are we talking about here anyway?”
The FIA are reportedly looking to bring in new rules to further address proposing questions at the Belgian Grand Prix later this month, with a new minimum oscillation test to be undertaken. The governing body are also set to raise the floors of the cars by a minimum of 23mm for the 2023 season to combat the problem going forwards.
Horner criticised the decision and suggested it was too late to change regulations when designs for 2023 cars had already been finalised and confirmed. He said: “So I think there just needs to be a common-sense solution, not rewriting the rulebook for next year at a point of the year, with budget caps where they are, which is just too late.
“I think it’s actually an even bigger issue for some of the smaller teams that quite simply wouldn’t have the resources to be able to react.”
