FIA REVEALS LESSONS TO BE LEARNED AFTER SUZUKA GP’S NEAR-MISS
New measures to be taken following Japanese GP chaos
A report into the recovery truck on circuit during the recent Japanese Grand Prix has concluded that no rescue vehicles should enter the live circuit until all of the cars are behind the safety car.
Alpha-Tauri driver Pierre Gasly passed recovery tractors at the scene of Carlos Sainz’s stricken Ferrari in Japan at a speed of more than 100mph as he was trying to catch back up to the pack after an early pitstop. He was later reprimanded for his speed, but the FIA launched a review.
It concluded: “A recovery vehicle should not be deployed unless all cars are aligned behind the safety car. Marshals and recovery equipment would only be deployed whilst cars are on track (safety car periods) when the weather conditions and location of the cars to be recovered allow for a quick and safe intervention.”
The FIA will also clarify the rules about awarding half points in a rain-interrupted or shortened race, as happened in Japan. Initially, all were under the impression that a reduced points roster would be issued after the race in Japan. However, an interpretation of the way the rules were written meant that full points had to be handed out, and that was enough to give
Max Verstappen his second World crown.
It has also said there will be talks concerning the effectiveness of the extreme wet Pirelli tyres, and that it has dropped the rotation of the role of F1 race director. Niels Wittich will be in charge for the remaining GPs this term.