F1 News: Oscar Piastri Worried About Negative Impact Of Ground Effect F1 Car On Driver Health

The McLaren driver has raised concerns about the effect of F1 cars on driver physique.

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has suggested that rules be implemented in Formula 1 that prioritize driver health over hardcore racing. He specifically addresses issues like bouncing or porpoising, often linked with ground effect cars, which can lead to discomfort and physical strain for drivers during races.

Key Takeaways:

• McLaren driver Oscar Piastri calls for Formula 1 regulations prioritizing driver health, citing discomfort from bouncing in ground effect cars.
• Piastri's concerns echo teammate Lando Norris's worries about long-term effects.
• While the current cars have improved, stiffness for downforce still causes discomfort. Piastri urges ongoing attention to driver well-being in future regulations.

McLaren

The Australian driver's remarks echo a shared concern expressed by his teammate Lando Norris recently, who highlighted the potential long-term seriousness of discomfort experienced in ground-effect cars.

The current cars are tuned with stiff suspension setups, optimized to hug the ground tightly for maximum downforce. However, this pursuit of performance often results in bouncing, ultimately leading to discomfort for the driver during Grand Prix weekends.

Unlike older F1 cars that were more comfortable, Piastri was asked if bouncing should be acknowledged as a problem under the 2026 regulations since it makes the drive more uncomfortable. He told the media:

“I didn't have that much experience in the older generation of car.

“But it definitely was more comfortable to drive, just a bit more forgiving. I think honestly, compared to say the Formula 2 car, it's quite similar.”

Comparing the present car to the 2022 car, Piastri acknowledged the current car to be better but highlighted that the discomfort won't come in the way when a driver has to perform and deliver. He added:

“I drove the 2022 car earlier in the year and we've definitely made steps forward in terms of overseeing and improving comfort and stuff like that.

“So it's not as bad as what it was when these regulations first came in. But it’s not quite as comfortable as what the old cars were.

“I think it is a point that is valid for us. At the end of the day, we're going to drive the car however is quickest.

“You’re never gonna give up lap time for having an achy body after the race.

“You need rules to stop that from us because we're so competitive that we're just going to get the ultimate lap time out of it no matter what it takes.

“We’ve done a good job addressing it but it is something we need to keep an eye on in the future.”

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