FIA makes a major update on penalty pit stop regulations after Fernando Alonso penalty debacle

After the debate surrounding the Fernando Alonso's penalty drama, FIA passes a new ruling to ban jacks from touching the car

FIA makes a major update on penalty pit stop regulations after Fernando Alonso penalty debacle

Fernando Alonso's pitstop, Jeddah (Credits: Twitter)

Following the recent controversy surrounding Fernando Alonso‘s 100th podium, the International Automobile Federation- FIA has implemented a ban on teams using jacks to touch their cars during penalty pit stops. This decision was made after a thorough review of the penalty stop involving Alonso and the grid placement offense that prompted it.

Fernando Alonso was fined for parking his car slightly to the left of the designated grid box and for not serving his penalty properly. The FIA found that during Alonso’s pit stop, the rear jack of his car made contact with the vehicle before the completion of the mandated 5-second penalty. As a result, the FIA conducted a detailed examination of the video footage and determined that a 10-second penalty was warranted, which was applied after Alonso’s podium celebrations. Subsequently, the Aston Martin team appealed this decision. Upon reviewing new evidence presented by the team, the penalty was ultimately rescinded, and Alonso’s rightful place on the podium was reinstated.

Following this mishap, the FIA has passed a new ruling saying that touching the car is an offense and is banned from here on. The governing body clarified that the physical touching of the car or driver by hand, tools, or equipment (including the front and rear jacks) during any such penalty would all be considered to constitute work. Cooling fans during a penalty are permitted, provided any such fan does not physically touch the car. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon faced a similar fate at the Bahrain Grand Prix, but his penalties were not withdrawn.

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FIA clarifies rules on penalty pit stops

Improvised grid box
Improvised grid box (Credits: F1i)

For clarity and until further notice, in this context, multiple penalties incurred under Articles 54.3a and 54.3b prior to a car’s pit stop can be served in series at a single pit stop. The FIA decided to fast-track a review of the events and noted that “this circumstance arose due to a lack of clarity in the wording of the relevant regulations and conflicting precedents.” After further discussion in the team managers’ meeting, the conclusion regarding the penalty pit stops was sent to teams by way of a sporting directive.

“For clarity and until further notice, in this context the physical touching of the car or driver by hand, tools or equipment (including the front and rear jacks) during any such penalty will all be considered to constitute work,” the FIA clarified in a sporting directive sent to all the teams. This means that teams can no longer touch their cars with jacks during penalty pit stops. 

In addition to the ban on jacks touching the car, the FIA has extended the width of the grid boxes from 2.5m to 2.7m. A center line will also be trialed to aid drivers in positioning their cars correctly during Friday’s free practice in Melbourne. Although drivers have suggested that the white lines won’t help much, the FIA is committed to exploring all options to improve safety and clarity in the sport. The time lag in applying Alonso’s 10-second penalty will also be reviewed. The FIA is also considering the various procedures that lead to time delays in the event of late-race reports to the stewards.

The decision to ban jacks touching the car during penalty pit stops has been made to ensure that all teams follow the same rules and that the sport is as fair as possible. Extending the grid boxes’ width and the trial of a center line is an important step in improving safety in the sport. The FIA’s commitment to exploring all options to improve the sport’s clarity is a positive sign for the future.

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