The FIA warns drivers not to create danger by slowing down
The FIA has decided to be stricter regarding the dangers posed by a slow down at the last turn. A change aimed at adding safety and avoiding traffic jams during qualifications.
During the first free practice sessions, the FIA quickly observed an issue in the final sector. Indeed, drivers were slowing down in this area to start their fast lap with less traffic. A risky move considering that this last sector sees cars coming through at high speed finishing their fast lap. FIA’s F1 race director Michael Masi warned drivers not to slow down in fast parts of the track.
« Any driver intending to create a gap in front of them to get a clear lap should not attempt to do so between turn 23 and turn 25. »
(e) Any driver who does that will be reported to the stewards as being in breach of Article 27.4 of the Sporting Regulations.
The instructions were quickly updated for Free Practice 3, but especially for qualifying during this Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. As a reminder, this Grand Prix weekend has already experienced a red flag during Free Practice 2 where Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc crashed violently at turn 23.
