FIA: The virtual safety car still needs work
Even though the initial tests of the 'virtual safety car' system proved successful, the FIA is still considering its introduction for the 2015 Formula 1 season.
The International Automobile Federation believes it is still too early to know if the implementation of a virtual safety car system can be done for the 2015 Formula 1 season.
This new system was introduced following Jules Bianchi’s accident at the Japanese GP and was tested during free practice in the United States and Brazil. But despite encouraging results and positive feedback from the drivers, according to Autosport, the FIA remains aware that the system needs to be perfectly reliable to be introduced in competition.
When asked about the possibility of the system being introduced in 2015, a FIA spokesperson, quoted by the British publication, was cautious: “We are not sure yet. The tests have been very positive, but we need to do more development.”
One of the issues with the system reported by drivers was the need to focus on the lap time to achieve, a time 35% slower than a normal lap. However, another system was tested at Interlagos with a 10-second countdown in particular, and it was a step in the right direction.
No disappearance of the safety car in sight
Even if this virtual safety car system could be used for certain types of incidents during the race, the FIA believes it will not replace the intervention of the safety car as it exists today.
« We really doubt that the virtual safety car will ever take the place of the safety car. There are times when the pack needs to be led at a different speed or another path must be taken. Only the safety car can do that, » added the FIA spokesperson.
