Porpoising:
The Bouncing Nightmare
The phenomenon that plagued the 2022 season. Why did cars bounce like dolphins, and will it return in 2026?
What is Porpoising?
Porpoising is an aerodynamic stall loop. It is a violent bouncing motion that happens in "Ground Effect" cars.
The Cycle of the Bounce
Suction
As the car goes faster, the air rushing under the floor sucks the car down closer to the track.
Stall
Eventually, the car gets too close to the ground. The airflow chokes and "stalls" (stops working).
Release
With no downforce, the car springs back up instantly.
Repeat
Now that the car is high again, the airflow returns, sucks it down, and the cycle repeats 5-6 times per second.
Is Porpoising Dangerous for Drivers?
Yes. In 2022, Lewis Hamilton struggled to get out of his car due to severe back pain caused by the bouncing. The violent shaking (up to 10G vertical impacts) can cause micro-concussions, blurred vision, and long-term spinal damage. This is why the FIA introduced sensors to limit how much a car is allowed to bounce.
Will it happen in 2026?
The risk is lower, but not zero.
The 2026 regulations have narrowed the floor by 150mm.
By reducing the surface area of the floor, the cars generate less of their downforce from ground effect suction. This makes the "stall" less violent if it happens. However, teams will always push the limits of running the car as low and stiff as possible, so some bouncing may still occur.