Sainz calls for increased FIA discussions amid driver complaints

Carlos Sainz has called for the drivers to be more involved in the conversations on Formula 1 car performance topics, following recent driver complaints.

The F1 drivers have become increasingly vocal about various aspects of the car performance, particularly regarding racing against fellow competitors.

The previous race in Azerbaijan saw a reduced level of overtaking as drivers battled against a shortened DRS zone on the main straight.

Some drivers even highlighted the increased difficulty in following other cars, which many believe has worsened since teams have found ways of adding more downforce to their cars.

Several drivers have complained about the FIA's decision to reduce the Drag Reduction System zones for the Miami race.

When asked if the 'ground effect' generation of Formula 1 cars, active since the start of the 2022 season, was still succeeding in producing closer racing, Ferrari's Sainz believed that the issues in following other cars had worsened.

"I think in the short term it has delivered and the cars are a lot better to race with, but now it's getting to a point that they're starting to become worse again," Sainz told media, including RacingNews365.com.

"Also there's not a lot of slipstream effect, so it's a combination of not enough slipstream, like the other generation of cars was producing a lot of slipstream, and also even to follow now is becoming quite tricky.

"These cars are quite stiff, quite heavy. I would personally love to go back to a more compliant car - that doesn't mean we all end up with lower back problems - and a narrower, lighter car."

Sainz: Drivers should be in F1 Commission meetings

When asked if the drivers have discussed the issues with the FIA, Sainz responded: "Honestly, no. Also, we haven't been asked about it, and it hasn't come up in meetings, or in one of the commission [meetings] that they do.

"We are trying to get the drivers more into those commissions and be more involved, because I think maybe F1 or the FIA are missing a bit of our feedback, and maybe we're not doing a good enough job to be present there to give that feedback.

"In the end, they want to know what's happening, and I think we're all starting to feel the same, and we're all starting to converge towards feeling the same thing, which is normally creating a bit of a trend and a bit of an idea of what's happening."