There can be no rapid adjustments to the driving requirements pointers doc for the ultimate two rounds of the championship, the governing physique confirmed in its assertion. The record of suggestions for FIA stewards will stay as is for now.
The much-anticipated assembly happened on the Losail circuit on Thursday night time forward of the . As anticipated, the dialogue centred across the driving-standards pointers, which triggered plenty of debate this season – notably after a number of controversial choices.
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The driving requirements pointers had been launched in 2022 with the intention of reaching better consistency in stewarding. Earlier this 12 months, and assist followers higher perceive the rules behind stewards’ choices.
Nonetheless, drivers have usually criticised the doc and its implementation. Whereas the rules are usually not guidelines however reference factors for stewards, many really feel that in follow choices are made strictly in response to the written definitions relatively than precise racing physics and practicalities – resulting in outcomes they imagine don’t match the incident.
“At the moment we’re actually sticking to the e-book,” ’s stated forward of the assembly. “And that makes it tough to have frequent sense generally in particular conditions.”
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What incidents had been mentioned?
The FIA assertion didn’t go into a lot element however provided a glimpse of what was reviewed throughout what it described as a “frank, open and collegial” dialogue. 5 incidents from this season had been addressed, the newest being the conflict at Interlagos between , and Leclerc. Piastri’s 10-second penalty, issued in the course of the race, was extensively seen by drivers as unjustified, regardless that stewards specified it aligned with the rules.
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Two different incidents that resulted in crashes had been additionally mentioned. One was the – conflict at Zandvoort, for which Sainz was given a 10-second penalty that later overturned by means of protest. The opposite was the Monza collision involving and Sainz, for which Bearman was penalised.
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Each incidents highlighted considerations that making use of the rules too rigidly can result in choices drivers view as incorrect, since a lot of the doc focuses on automobile positioning on nook entry relative to a competitor. One main criticism is that the rules successfully immediate drivers to “race to the apex” simply to be on the proper aspect of the wording.
Two additional instances had been associated to trace limits. The group reviewed the Leclerc-Max Verstappen incident in Mexico regarding “leaving the observe and gaining an enduring benefit”, and the Austin incident between and Leclerc, discussing whether or not leaving the observe throughout an overtaking try ought to rely as a breach.
What had been the conclusions?
There isn’t any clear plan but on how the rules could also be modified. The FIA underlined that “knowledge from the previous three seasons” exhibits the rules “have contributed to better consistency” in stewarding, supported by detailed evaluation from groups. It additionally famous that the present model of the doc “has been reviewed and agreed with the GPDA”, stressing that drivers themselves had been concerned within the technique of creating the doc they now usually criticise.
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The FIA listed 4 important takeaways. One was a “clear choice” for stewards to delay sure choices – when not all related parts can be found – till after the race, permitting them to listen to from drivers. This was a degree raised by Sainz after Zandvoort.
One other takeaway was a shared view that the rules can’t cowl each situation, underlining the significance of getting an skilled driver-steward on every panel. Regardless of a number of drivers calling for everlasting stewards, the FIA made no reference as to if this was mentioned.
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Whereas the FIA president and the GPDA have prior to now proven broad settlement on the query of getting everlasting, skilled stewards, they disagree on the matter of who ought to pay for them.
The opposite two factors involved a stronger emphasis on respecting yellow flags and discussions on further measures to reinforce security, in addition to a evaluate of blue-flag procedures, together with potential additions to make clear anticipated behaviour from lapped automobiles.
Whether or not there can be additional adjustments to the rules after the tip of the 2025 season stays unclear.
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