Formula 1: New Rule Under the Radar; Red Bull and Max Verstappen ‘Targeted’

Formula 1: New Rule Under the Radar; Red Bull and Max Verstappen ‘Targeted’

Red Bull

Ever since the Formula 1 has returned from the long summer break, there were some new rules introduced. Talking particularly about the suspended Belgium Grand Prix, teams were given the squeeze for the first time when it came to pitstops. Moreover, the FIA Technical directive introduced reaction times and safety mechanism, which now seems to be targeting Red Bull and their ace driver Max Verstappen. 

The Austrian team, who could easily be derived as the current ‘pit stop Champs’ objected to this particular rule and felt that they were being deliberately slowed down to bring the Championship closer. On the other hand, teams like McLaren, welcomed the FIA’s move to finally guarantee safety in the pits.  

Are Red Bull and Max Verstappen Really being ‘Targeted’? 

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton

As per the TheJudge13.com, a critical aspect of the whole thing is that if the button is pressed too early anywhere in this sequence, the signal may no longer be released. And – the mechanic must consciously send the release again. 

WhatsApp Image 2021 01 22 at 1.20.00 AM
Max Verstappen and Christian Horner

Indeed, an impact has been recorded, in Zandvoort and Monza the average pit stop time increased. Even if you exclude stops over 3.5 seconds, which are generally regarded as a mistake, an F1 car stood still for an average of 2.69 seconds at Zandvoort and even 2.89 seconds at Monza. Thus, the average seems to have climbed back to the level of 2020 when the times were dropping at the beginning of this season. 

Having said that, the teams seem to be struggling with the new procedures. At Monza, four of 18 stops took longer than 3.5 seconds for no apparent reason. At Zandvoort it was eight out of 27 – a season high. At Monza, such “failed stops” came to the fore when both Lewis Hamilton (4.22) and Max Verstappen (11.1) were caught out.

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