The FIA justifies the delayed arrival of the safety car due to the rearview mirror on the track
F1. The FIA wanted to explain the reasons why the safety car only entered the track when the rearview mirror was shattered by a single-seater, creating multiple debris and punctures. While the debris had been on the track for several laps.
A debris on a straight line of a Formula 1 circuit where drivers reach 330 km/h is dangerous. However, the debris was placed out of the main trajectory, but more importantly out of the human intervention area during the race, preventing any quick action. So we had to wait.
During the Qatar Grand Prix, Alexander Albon's Williams saw its rearview mirror fly off. The sharp carbon piece landed on the track, right in the middle of the start-finish straight of the Losail circuit. Located just before the pit lane exit area, where the drivers merge onto the track, and perfectly in the center of the track, it was impossible for a track marshal to run and retrieve the debris without risking an accident.
The FIA wanted to clarify information on the subject out of transparency concern.
No Virtual Safety Car possible or classic safety car.
In case of small debris not requiring immediate danger, the FIA generally proposes to implement a VSC (Virtual Safety Car), which is displayed on the drivers' steering wheels and limits the speed of the cars to 50%. However, in this specific case, the debris was located in an area where no marshal could have retrieved the piece of carbon in time, without risking obstructing a car or endangering their own life.
The FIA was therefore unable to opt for a VSC. In addition, it is not customary for the FIA to deploy a safety car for debris off the racing line and deemed too small to pose an immediate danger.
« Normally, the safety car is not deployed when there is a small amount of debris outside the racing line, the FIA tells the media.
To compensate for the absence of the safety car at that moment of the Grand Prix, a double yellow flag was deployed in the final part of the straight. Drivers are required to slow down under double yellow flags, but it caught Lando Norris out, who was later sanctioned by the FIA with a mandatory pit stop and a 10-second stop-and-go penalty.
Bring the safety car in once the rearview mirror is hit.
Some critics have pointed out that the safety car was deployed late, after the Sauber of Valtteri Bottas hit the rearview mirror. The FIA explained that this decision aimed to prevent further accidents caused by debris on the track.
These debris did, in fact, cause two consecutive punctures, those of Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz.
« The large amount of debris after a car hit a mirror, as well as the punctures that occurred shortly after, led to the decision to deploy the safety car », the statement explains. « A VSC (Virtual Safety Car) would not have been sufficient in this case, as the cars remain dispersed, not allowing the marshals enough time to clear the debris. »
The implementation of the safety car depends on specific criteria, but ultimately it is at the discretion of the race director. It is important to note that the new race director, Rui Marques, recently took office.
Please note that the FIA requested the replacement of the safety car during the Grand Prix due to an issue with the lights of the second safety car. During the second safety car intervention, there was a malfunction with the lights. All teams were verbally informed that the safety car would return to the pits, allowing for a normal restart. Although the cause of the malfunction was identified and resolved, as a precaution, the safety car was replaced before its third deployment.
