P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1’s super-stiff ground effect cars ‘not great’, says Allison
In an effort to improve overtaking, Formula 1 introduced ground effect rules starting in the 2022 season. However, due to the nature of the cars, they generate most of their downforce close to the ground, forcing teams to run them as low as possible with stiff suspension settings. This has resulted in difficult-to-manage setups and cars that are not enjoyable to drive. The previous rules allowed for more flexibility, enabling teams to tailor their setups to specific track characteristics. The current rules, focused on keeping the cars close to the ground, restrict teams and engineers in terms of what they can do. Even drivers like Max Verstappen, who is currently dominating the championship, may not find the current cars particularly enjoyable. Many, including Mercedes’ Technical Director James Allison, believe that having such a narrow operating window and limited ground clearance is not ideal for the sport.
