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F1 outfits underestimated ‘porpoising’ potential, says Ferrari

Leclerc tops first morning session as new cars debut

A number of outfits have faced challenges during the opening two days of action at Barcelona in Spain with the consequences of ‘porpoising’ – where the car bounces up and down on its suspension after it hits a certain speed on the straights.

Porpoising was something that was commonplace during F1’s previous ground effect era, and it is triggered by the under floor downforce sucking the car down more and more as it accelerates down the straights – before the airflow suddenly stalls through either a change in air pressure or the floor hitting the ground.

Once that happens, the car suddenly loses the extra downforce and the car briefly rises up again, before it once again starts being sucked down to begin the cycle again.

As well as porpoising being uncomfortable for drivers, it can also be a major problem in high speed corners if it strikes and cars suddenly lose downforce.

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