Porpoising has been one of the most significant issues throughout the season, and while the new tires offer less clearance, Pirelli insist their new design does not contribute to the problem. “I don’t think it is a matter of 18-inches or 13-inches,” head of F1 and car racing Mario Isola told Autosport about the issue. “This is an effect that is coming from the cars.
“But obviously, maybe with the higher sidewall of the 13-inches, this bouncing effect could have been even more, because you have the sidewall that is much bigger and working as a sort of suspension, much more than the current one. Now the cars are stiffer and the tires are stiffer, and that is something the teams have to address.
“I don’t think that 18-inches are making these effects worse. I think it’s probably the opposite.” Following the impact porpoising is having, including Hamilton’s back issues after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Mercedes have pushed for changes to help the drivers.
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