The FIA provides more information about the reason for the teams’ investigations during the Abu Dhabi GP
The race commissioners sent reports during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for rule violations during pit stops. If the message seemed unclear, the FIA communicated about a safety regulation that appears to have been poorly adhered to.
The FIA issued a statement at the end of the day on Sunday in Abu Dhabi regarding the wearing of glasses or protective visors during pit stops. It appears that some teams and mechanics did not wear any protection during pit stops.
Lewis Hamilton during his pit stop was focused, then Pierre Gasly, Max Verstappen, and other drivers saw their pit stop under investigation after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last race of the season, won by Max Verstappen.
The FIA provides a clearer explanation of what happened regarding a violation of article 34.13 of the sporting regulations:
(D) Following the receipt of reports from the Race Director, as well as the examination of video evidence, written reports from the Track Marshals, and statements from each Team Representative, the Stewards have observed that numerous violations of Article 34.13 have taken place. (F)
This article of the regulations states that « all team personnel working on a car in the pit lane when the car is at its pit stop location during the qualifying session, sprint session, sprint shootout session, or during a pit stop in the race, must wear a helmet » and that « the use of appropriate eye protection is mandatory. »
Some teams have not respected this point, probably because the Grand Prix takes place at sunset and the start of the race may require a tinted visor, while the end of the race requires changing to a light tint.
No team has been sanctioned, but they have been reminded by the FIA.
« In some cases, the video evidence was not clear enough to determine, for example, if a visor was open, if the team member in question could be wearing glasses or other eye protection. Nevertheless, many instances of not using eye protection were observed, » explains the statement.
« The safety of team members is of the utmost importance. All teams are requested to emphasize the importance of eye protection for all personnel working on a car and to ensure that this Article is respected by all team members in the future. »
