MONTREAL (Reuters) – As Formula One wrestles with ‘porpoising’ issues which have left some drivers battered and bruised, AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost steered on Saturday that if situations are too robust within the cockpit there may be at all times a cushty sofa at dwelling.
Driver well being has been put within the highlight on the Canadian Grand Prix with groups instructed to place security earlier than efficiency and deal with the issue of vehicles bouncing dramatically at excessive speeds.
Concern reached new ranges final weekend on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix when seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton struggled to get out of his Mercedes on the finish of a punishing race.
Tost, whose drivers are Frenchman Pierre Gasly and Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda, stated he understood vehicles have been troublesome to drive however provided little sympathy.
“These are Formula One vehicles, this isn’t a Rolls Royce and drivers must be aware of this,” stated the Austrian, earlier than the vehicles took to a wet Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Saturday for closing observe and qualifying.
“If the vehicles are too stiff, it is too troublesome for them (the drivers) possibly they need to keep at dwelling, in the lounge sitting in a chair and they will do their races.”
Porpoising has grow to be the latest F1 flash level with the governing FIA wading in on Thursday with a technical directive of measures to cut back or eradicate the issue. It stated it had executed so within the curiosity of driver security.
Tost and Alpine group precept Otmar Szafnauer argued that it was probably not a security concern.
“It was clear from the very starting that these vehicles wouldn’t be simple to drive,” stated Tost. “This ground makes it obligatory that vehicles are arrange stiff, that the vehicles are fairly near floor.
“The vehicles aren’t anymore as comfy to drive as they have been up to now.
“Now the drivers complain about it. I can perceive it’s not really easy for them, alternatively it is a Formula One automobile not a Rolls Royce.”
Tost recalled a time when drivers would come to him after a race saying they wanted to see a dentist as a result of the trip was so jarring.
The AlphaTauri boss steered possibly somewhat extra time within the fitness center and a bit much less complaining would possibly assist.
“Drivers should do extra coaching for his or her neck muscle tissues – this helps for certain,” added Tost. “And the FIA is coming now with this technical directive which in fact will assist to learn the way huge are the forces.
“How a lot this may be managed we do not know but.”
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Montreal; Editing by Ken Ferris)
