Carlos Sainz urges FIA to involve drivers more in debate on key car performance issues. Carlos calls for increased FIA discussions amid driver complaints.

Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz is advocating for greater driver involvement in discussions regarding the performance of Formula 1 single-seaters, in response to recent complaints from several of his colleagues.

Many drivers have been increasingly vocal about various aspects of car performance, especially in relation to competing against their peers.

The latest round of the 2023 Formula One campaign, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, witnessed a decrease in overtaking moves as drivers struggled with a shortened DRS zone on the main straight.

Some drivers have also pointed out that it has become more difficult to follow other cars, which they believe has worsened since teams have discovered ways to increase the downforce on their cars due to the shortened DRS zone.

Numerous drivers have voiced their objections to the FIA’s call to decrease the Drag Reduction System zones for the upcoming Miami race, which is set to take place this weekend at the Miami International Autodrome in Florida, USA.

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During Thursday’s press conference in Miami, Carlos Sainz was asked by the media whether the ‘ground effect’ generation of Formula 1 challengers, which was introduced last year, was still able to allow drivers to follow another car and therefore give them a better chance of attempting an overtaking move. the Spaniard pointed out that the problem in following other cars is in fact worse as compared to 2022:

“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,” – the Ferrari man replied – “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.” – he added.

Carlos Sainz was then quizzed on whether the Formula 1 drivers have addressed the matter with the FIA and confirmed that “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.” – he continued.

“We are trying to get the drivers more into those commissions and be more involved, because I think maybe Formula 1 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.” – Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz concluded.