FIA ‘tweaks’ series’ safety car rules in regards to lapped cars following the Abu Dhabi ‘debacle’


FIA ‘tweaks’ series’ safety car rules in regards to lapped cars following the Abu Dhabi ‘debacle’

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

FIA went through a fair share of criticism after what happened in Abu Dhabi and rightly so, too. Blunders were committed and someone had to be held responsible for the blatant misinterpretation of the law. Michael Masi was the one to take the brunt off it and had to be repositioned in the process.

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The world championship was on the line with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen both being level on points. Just before the finish, Nicholas Latifi crashed and Michael Masi took the controversial call by choosing to only allow those cars between leader Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to pass by.

Max Verstappen, having pitted, was on the fresher set of tyres and took full advantage of it by clinching his maiden title. After the catastrophe that occurred in Abu Dhabi, there was a whole lot of debate regarding the interpretation of the word ‘any.’ Just to make sure that it doesn’t happen again, amendments have been made to the concerned Article.

FIA brings about necessary changes after their authenticity was questioned as an organization

FIA, Michael Masi
FIA, Michael Masi

This shall mean that all the lapped cars must be made to pass by the leader if it is completely safe to do.

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Article 55.13 now reads: “If the clerk of the course considers it safe to do so, and the message ‘LAPPED CARS MAY NOW OVERTAKE’ has been sent to all competitors using the official messaging system, all cars that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the safety car.”

But this is not the only rule that has been amended. FIA has intrinsically looked at the law after their authenticity was questioned as an organization. Stern steps had to be taken so that a blunder of that magnitude never takes place again.

“Among other changes published just days before the first race of the 2022 season, drivers now have to stay in their overalls for the post-race celebrations.”

The rule reads: “For the duration of the podium ceremony and post-race interview procedure, the drivers finishing the race in first, second and third positions must remain attired only in their driving suits, ‘done up’ to the neck, not opened to the waist.” As reported by motorsport.

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It is the case of better late than never. The changes have been late in coming but the change will still be welcomed with open arms so that anything of that sort never happens again. The changes shall be implemented from the first race of the season that will take place in Bahrain this weekend.

Also Read: “Ferrari and Red Bull’s pace unexceptional,” George Russell ‘belittles’ the duo’s terrific pre-season showing ahead of the season opener in Bahrain