Formula 1 teams are facing a fresh porpoising crisis following the FIA’s latest regulation changes for the 2025 season. After years of working to eliminate the bouncing issue that plagued cars in 2022, new technical adjustments have unexpectedly brought the problem back, sending teams scrambling for solutions.
Porpoising, a severe aerodynamic phenomenon caused by ground-effect downforce fluctuations, was a major concern when F1 introduced its new regulations in 2022. It led to extreme bouncing, making cars unpredictable and difficult to handle while also causing physical strain on drivers. In response, the FIA enforced stricter floor regulations in 2023, raising the floor edges and adding sensors to monitor vertical oscillations. These changes successfully reduced porpoising, allowing teams to optimize their designs for improved stability.
However, the FIA’s latest tweaks for 2025, intended to improve safety and further control aerodynamics, have unexpectedly reintroduced the issue. The new rules include a slight reduction in floor flexibility, a reshaped diffuser area, and minor tweaks to ride height allowances. While these adjustments were designed to enhance car balance and minimize unintended aerodynamic advantages, early simulations and wind tunnel testing indicate that porpoising has made an unwelcome return.
Several teams, including Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, have already expressed concerns about the effects of the updated regulations. Engineers believe that reducing floor flex and modifying the diffuser disrupts the balance of airflow under the car, increasing the likelihood of sudden aerodynamic stalls that trigger bouncing. One senior engineer from a top team admitted that they were caught off guard by the extent of the problem, stating that initial models showed “a worrying level of oscillation, even at moderate speeds.”
Mercedes, in particular, suffered significantly from porpoising in 2022, costing them crucial performance throughout the season. Although they eventually mitigated the issue, their 2025 car concepts are reportedly showing signs of familiar problems. Red Bull, who adapted best to the ground-effect regulations, appear to be less affected but are still investigating potential setbacks caused by the altered aerodynamic conditions. Ferrari has also reported early signs of instability in high-speed corners due to the changes.
The situation has led to urgent discussions within the FIA and the F1 Technical Advisory Committee. Some teams are already calling for further regulatory adjustments before the 2025 season officially begins. However, making mid-season changes is highly complex, as it could favor certain teams over others. The FIA is expected to hold further meetings with teams in the coming weeks to assess whether any modifications or clarifications to the rules are necessary.
For drivers, the return of porpoising is a serious concern. Many struggled with back pain, blurred vision, and fatigue when the issue was at its worst in 2022. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were among the most vocal critics back then, urging the FIA to intervene for safety reasons. With the problem resurfacing, similar complaints are likely to arise if teams cannot find effective solutions in time.
The key challenge for engineers is finding ways to mitigate porpoising without sacrificing performance. Teams are already experimenting with revised suspension setups, modified floor geometries, and alternative ride height strategies. However, with limited pre-season testing in 2025, there is little time to make significant changes before the first race. 
While some believe that the best teams will eventually find a way to minimize the impact, others fear that porpoising could once again dominate discussions in early 2025. If the issue proves severe, the FIA may face mounting pressure to reconsider its rule changes or introduce emergency measures to prevent another season of bouncing chaos.
As the teams prepare for the new season, all eyes will be on their testing data and driver feedback. Whether this new porpoising crisis becomes a defining problem or just another technical hurdle remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Formula 1 is once again grappling with the unintended consequences of its evolving regulations.
