The FIA is tightening the screws on the rest periods
On the short and fast circuit of the Red Bull Ring, the FIA imposes on all drivers to respect a minimum time during cooling laps for the upcoming qualifications.
It is common to see, during qualifying sessions, frustrations caused by drivers on an out lap (or warm-up lap) towards drivers on a flying lap. Beyond these annoyances that often result in penalties, the dangers are real.
These last ones are even more important on the fast and short circuit of the Red Bull Ring. (Let’s remember that it is the shortest one of the season.)
Thus, in order to minimize the risk of inconvenience caused by the drivers during the break, the FIA imposes a minimum time to be respected for all laps on the track during the upcoming sprint race qualifying session (at 5pm this Friday).
This one was determined at 1:12.0 by the FIA, whereas the fastest times in free practice 1 were achieved in 1:06, and the slowest in 1:09.
The margin therefore seems sufficient for the drivers who will be able to, while releasing their attacking effort, limit the speed difference with those on timed laps and thus avoid as much danger as possible.
The information has been brought to the attention of the teams, who are therefore aware of the penalties that will be imposed in case of non-compliance with this requirement.
