"Porpoising" needs to be overcome by F1 team during pre-season test in Bahrain

It didn't feel good especially when we were going at 300kph and we were jumping 30-40mm up and down erratically

Formula 1 teams will begin their final pre-season test in Bahrain on Thursday to find a solution to fixing "porpoising" in their cars before the season-opening race at Sakhir on March 20.

The new cars are designed to follow regulations that have undergone a major overhaul this season, aiming to create a tight race, but ran into trouble when they hit the ground running in Barcelona last month.

As a result of the change, the car looks bouncing, like the movement of a porpoise, a dolphin-like mammal, jumping on water, while speeding in a straight line when the car generates and loses downforce.

Some teams seem more overwhelmed by the problem than their rivals.

"It didn't feel good especially when we were going 300kph and we were jumping 30-40mm up and down erratically," said Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

"Hopefully, that's overcome and not something we want to experience."

Briton George Russell, who is in his first season in tandem with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, said porpoising could be a safety issue.

He said that active suspension, which helps the car turn in corners with software programs to maximize grip and performance, could be introduced as a solution.

"I think if the active suspension is there, it can solve the problem easily," said Russell. "But we'll see in Bahrain. I'm sure all teams can come out with smart ideas on this matter."

Ferrari, who devoured the most laps during his three days in Barcelona, ​​impressed those in the paddock with the speed and endurance of his car.

McLaren, who was fastest through Lando Norris on the opening day, also looked strong.

Mercedes then showed its potential as Hamilton was generally fastest after two days of sloping.

World champion Max Verstappen also appeared fast in his Red Bull car.

However, the pre-season test session cannot be a definitive picture of the team's performance because they tested the car with a different setup and amount of fuel. Moreover, in Bahrain they will still bring new components to be tested.

"You probably know who's in the top half and who's in the bottom half," Russell said. "Things will probably look different to the development that was brought about when we arrived in Bahrain."