NEW INFORMATION LAPS IDEA TO HELP SODDEN GPS
Formula 1 drivers have proposed a new solution to check circuit conditions during pre-race downpours by introducing ‘information’ laps to help them assess how wet a circuit is.
After delayed starts at the last two grands prix due to inclement weather, the Grand Prix Drivers’Association [GPDA] has said that the races should be allowed limited running on the circuit – be that behind a safety car of on their own – to make a judgement call on the track and report back to race control.
It is thought this would be more relevant than a call from the safety car driver.
The move, which has been drawn up by the racers and will be submitted to the FIA at the US Grand Prix in Austin this weekend, has been backed by GPDA chairman and former racer Alex Wurz. He told Autosport: “The race director should have the option for what I call information laps. So he could say, if the teams agreed to this procedure, that in 10 minutes’ time we will send the cars around – like it’s a going-to-the-grid lap.
“On this lap, the drivers would all see what the conditions were like. We could have 20 opinions of the 20 drivers who put their lives at risk. And then it’s a much more informed decision for the FIA from the drivers.”