F1 News: Lando Norris Calls For Change On Ground Effect Cars - "Takes A Toll On You"

The McLaren driver suggested that current F1 cars need to undergo changes to reduce the physical impact on drivers.

McLaren driver Lando Norris has remarked on the challenges posed by the new ground effect cars introduced in Formula 1 since 2022. These vehicles, designed to run closer to the ground, have increased the physical strain on drivers compared to previous years.

Key Takeaways:

• McLaren driver Lando Norris notes the increased physical strain on drivers due to the new ground effect cars introduced since 2022, urging further improvements for driver health.
• Health concerns arise during the peak of porpoising in the early 2022 season, reigniting discussion when Carlos Sainz misses the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to appendicitis.
• Williams driver Alex Albon's similar health issue in 2022 prompts consideration of a potential link with the car's design, leading to plans for consultation with a doctor.

Health concerns surfaced during the height of porpoising in the early stages of the 2022 season sparking renewed discussion last weekend in Saudi Arabia when Carlos Sainz was forced to sit out due to appendicitis. 

While there isn't a direct link between the ground effect car and Sainz's health condition, attention has been drawn to the fact that Williams driver Alex Albon experienced a similar problem in 2022. This has prompted Albon to contemplate consulting with a doctor to investigate any potential connection with the car.

Thus, speaking about how times have changed and that the new Formula 1 cars take a higher toll on the body, Norris called for further improvement on the cars to reduce the physical impact on the drivers, though the situation is a lot better than it was two years ago when porpoising problems were at their worst. He told the media:

“There's definitely certain people who think it's not bad and it used to be worse many years ago and all of this stuff.

“But I think times have changed.

“We do complain on certain things, certain things are just drivers complaining every now and then. But certain things are also for good reason, for our own bodies and the safety and health side of things.

“There are areas to improve on, it does need to be improved a little bit because the teams just make the quickest cars, and then we drive them.

“But there are certain times when it starts to have a toll, it's definitely not as bad as it was two years ago. Things have improved since then with the porpoising, but you still have to run the cars extremely low and stiff.”

Red Bull Press Image

Norris then explained how the ground effect cars have impacted his health and how things must be changed for the good and the long run. He added:

“It takes a toll on you. I still struggle a lot with my body and back and all of these things. I have to do a lot now, which I didn't have to do a few years ago.

“I wouldn't say it's directly because of the car. It's just natural for me, I have to work on it. But I think things in the long term need to be improved, especially if I'm going to be here for many years. We wish to make it a bit better and a bit more in line with how it was a few years ago.”

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