Formula One starts the 2022 season with new aero regulations developed to make racing closer to another car easier. The theory is, that if cars can run close without being disturbed by the aerodynamic wake of the car in front, more overtaking opportunities open up. However, during the first test of the season in Barcelona teams experienced the aerodynamic phenomenon of “porpoising”. It is a complicated explanation of ‘stalled air’. The easiest explanation is to think of porpoising as high-speed buffeting caused by air pressure running underneath the floor of the car.

The prime cause of porpoising is due to the return of ground-effect floors, which effectively sucks the car to the ground. If the air escapes through channels, or if the floor isn’t properly sealed, the car is effectively riding on a ‘wake’ of turbulent air which in turn causes the car to bounce up and down as seen out on track with the Ferrari F1-75.

Think of it this way. Imagine you are placed second in a speed boat race. The boat in front is leaving a flow of disturbed water behind, ergo the wake. Logically you opt to avoid the wake so you can keep up. But if you decide to drive into the wake your boat will jump up and down, not an ideal situation because you are not fully in control and it slows you down.

The porpoising phenomenon was well known when ground effect was introduced in F1 40 years ago. However, it wasn’t picked up in modern computer-generated simulations by any team. Thus porpoising made an unexpected return. Ferrari introduced a new floor which they say has solved the issue, but fixing one solution may lead to another problem.

Mercedes driver George Russell weighed in on the problem, saying active suspension could be a solution. However active suspension, computer-aided and controlled hydraulic suspension, was banned in 1994. Nevertheless, after his Barcelona testing duties were over Russell commented:

“We just saw with the Charles video just how bad it was for them. So, I think we will need to find a solution.”

“I guess if active suspension was there, it could be solved with a click of your fingers. And the cars would naturally be a hell of a lot faster if we had that.”

“I’m sure all the teams are capable of that, so that could be one for the future. But let’s see in Bahrain. I’m sure the teams will come up with some smart ideas around this issue.”