Sainz fears health damage: ‘These cars are not good in the long term’ | NOW

Carlos Sainz wants drivers’ health to become a more important agenda item in discussions on the technical rules of current Formula 1 cars. According to the Spanish Ferrari driver, the suspension is so hard that it can be harmful to the drivers in the long term.

“In Miami, the kerbs in the slow chicane were really solid. And in the Imola circuit there are a few bumps that really hurt physically,” Sainz said Friday in Barcelona, ​​where the Spanish Grand Prix will be held this weekend.

There are two reasons for the rigid cars of 2022. Firstly, the floor used to generate downward force should ideally hang as close to the asphalt as possible. To keep that constant, the teams adjust the suspension as hard as possible.

In addition, this year for the first time with 18-inch tires will be used. It contains much less spring space than 13-inch tires that were on the cars until last year.

The cars are therefore uncomfortable for the drivers. Sainz fears that this will have physical consequences in the long run. “We really need to talk about the physical toll we pay for driving these cars.”

‘Races get better’

The technical regulations were mainly rewritten to make the races better. By generating downward force in this way, the cars are less bothered by each other’s air disturbance and can therefore drive better behind each other.

“The races are indeed getting better,” said Sainz. “But the cars are now so stiff that you have to wonder if drivers have to withstand this for a career.”

Sainz feels effects of porpoising

On top of the already stiff cars comes the problem of porpoising, the aerodynamic bouncing on straights. Mercedes driver George Russell said after the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna, where his car bounced violently, that he was suffering from his back and chest. The Brit is not the only one who suffers from this.

“I’ve had my usual checks on my back, chest and neck. Everything is stiffer and I can feel it,” Sainz said. “You really have to work extra on it and it can’t be good for you in the long run.”

The Ferrari driver expects a difficult conversation with the other drivers. “No one wants to appear weak. But I’m fit, I think even one of the fittest drivers. And I’ve never had any problems during races before. It should be a topic of conversation. It would be nice if that was taken into account a little more. The FIA ​​should also get involved more.”

Update should help Ferrari from bouncing

Ferrari, like the competition, is doing everything it can to get rid of the bounce. Partly for this reason, the team is introducing a substantial update package in Barcelona, ​​although it was already going in the right direction during the previous race, according to Sainz.

“We’ve had the least amount of porpoising so far in Miami,” the home favorite recalled. “The races before that were really bad. I remember from the winter tests in Barcelona that the bounce here was really terrible, so it’s a good reference point. If we don’t suffer much here, then we are really going in the right direction. “