The drivers causing yellow and red flags during qualifying could be penalized
The FIA is reportedly considering sanctions for drivers who cause yellow and red flags during qualifying sessions. This initiative is supported by many drivers.
Fernando Alonso incurred the wrath of Alexander Albon this weekend in Baku. The Thai driver was furious during qualifying, accusing the Spaniard of deliberately going off track to provoke a yellow flag and prevent his competitors from improving their lap times.
If the race direction ultimately did not penalize the double world champion, the FIA, however, would be considering implementing sanctions against those who cause yellow or red flags during qualifying.
Thus, drivers who prematurely end a session like Sergio Perez in Monaco or Charles Leclerc in the principality last year would be penalized. An initiative currently in the project stage but already approved by some drivers.
« So we must pay attention to the way we do things. But yes, I agree. Especially the qualifications, it should be different. » supports Fernando Alonso. « We are facing problems with slow laps, minimum time to be respected, traffic in the last corner, towing, not towing. So I think we should be smart and think of another format for the qualifications. »
Same tune for Lando Norris when asked if he was in favor of introducing penalties for track exits and accidents during qualifying.
« Yes, of course. I think there is a difference between people who do it by accident and people who do it intentionally. But you always say yes until you are the one who does something wrong. And then, you say to yourself, “Oh, I wish this rule had not been introduced”, because you have just made a simple mistake, like when I spun at Imola. » Norris replies.
“It’s tough because each incident will probably be a little different,” says the other McLaren driver, Daniel Ricciardo. “But unless you’ve completely destroyed your car, if it’s just something like a small lock-up or something like that, then I feel like if you’ve caused something, then maybe we should consider being penalized. Maybe a deleted time could be a good way to go about it.”
Statements that echo those of Verstappen’s doubts about the red flag rule in qualifying.
“> Max Verstappen, who had suggested the idea in Monaco after his teammate Sergio Perez’s crash, which had prevented him from improving his time.”
