Helmut Marko has criticised the FIA for their decision to introduce a technical directive in response to concerns from some over the issues of porpoising and bouncing. On the Thursday prior to the Canadian Grand Prix, the TD39 was issued, with the governing body announcing that they would intervene to reduce or eliminate porpoising. This would require teams that bounced too much to raise their cars or perhaps even be disqualified. It caused much surprise in the paddock, because the teams had not had time to prepare themselves. The move followed calls amongst some in the paddock for the FIA to act on porpoising, with Mercedes being particularly vocal about the issue.
Marko disagrees with FIA decision
Marko has voiced his disapproval over the measures that the FIA planned to bring into effect, and suggested that Mercedes could find a solution to their struggles with bouncing. "I don't think the FIA's decisions are right," Marko told Sky Sports Germany . "One team, Mercedes, have the biggest problems and then you react in the middle of the season. There is a simple solution: you just have to raise the car. Then you no longer have this bouncing, but you lose speed. "The fact that they are now reacting in this way and trying to impose such powers on the FIA, which practically determine the set-ups of the cars, is a quick fix that has certainly not been thought through."
Solving issue is responsibility of teams, says Marko
According to Marko, it is down to the teams to address their own issues with bouncing, and he feels that Red Bull's drivers are well prepared. "Our drivers are one of the biggest capitals we have," the team advisor said. "We make sure that they are in top physical condition." Marko believes that further changes need to be made to the technical directive before it can be effective. "There are still improvements to be made, because all the parameters are far too vague for that," he added. "You would be exposing yourself to arbitrariness. That would mainly affect the team that criticised it."
Marko makes dig at Hamilton over back pain
Mercedes seemed to particularly struggle with bouncing at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton spoke of experiencing back pain. The seven-time World Champion appeared to have difficulty getting out of his car at the end of the event. Hamilton had a better weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix, having claimed his first podium since the season-opening race in Bahrain. Marko couldn't resist making a dig at Hamilton over this, telling German outlet F1-Insider after the race in Montreal: "Hamilton got out of the car quickly today. When he's on the podium, it's a lot easier."
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