Russell reveals that F1 drivers filled in FIA survey on porpoising

George Russell has revealed that all Formula One drivers have completed an FIA survey on the issue of porpoising. The governing body wanted to gauge the extent of the problem among the 20 drivers and, according to Russell, a majority would have said that something needs to change.

The GPDA, the drivers' union with Russell in a high position, officially asked the FIA to do something. A group of drivers would have been quite worried about the consequences of the heavy bouncing of the cars. The FIA then decided to have everyone fill in a survey.

F1 drivers want change

"I actually haven't seen the end result - it's just with our lawyer and Alex Wurz, and the FIA are aware of what the outcome was. I don't know the exact figures, but I'm pretty confident the majority would have said something needs to change," Russell let slip in an interview with the BBC.

Questions that were asked were mainly related to possible consequences concerning pain after the races and the safeguarding of health in the long run. Many drivers indicated that the FIA should look at this. According to Russell, not one hundred percent of the drivers are in favour of interference from the FIA, but as a group the drivers are 'absolutely' in favour.

Adjustment of 2023 rules?

The organisation led by Mohammed Ben Sulayem has proposed some rule changes for 2023. That proposal has not been well received by all teams. Six teams are said to have opposed the plans, arguing that it would benefit Mercedes, that it would not fit within the budget cap or that it is simply too late to completely change the development of the car for next year.

It remains to be seen exactly what the FIA will do now, as while the drivers may form a majority if the teams do not, it will soon stop. The F1 teams have in any case asked the FIA to decide quickly, as cutting a knot after the summer break would be too late in their view anyway.