FIA bans drivers from stopping in pit lane

The scene began to return too often on our screens, and began to annoy pilots and spectators. For several races, several drivers – if not almost all – took the liberty of slowing down, or even stopping, in the pit lane during qualifying. The objective: to leave enough space with the car in front so as not to be obstructed. A direct consequence of the rule imposed at mid-season, where drivers must now respect a maximum time in their pit exit lap, to avoid traffic jams in the last sector.

In Mexico last week, this phenomenon of blocking in the pit lane reached its climax, with a real traffic jam at the exit of the pits. Some pilots, including Max Verstappen, had been placed under investigation by the commissioners following this situation, without taking any penalty. To prevent this scene from happening again, the FIA ​​has taken the lead by introducing a new rule from the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend.

Updated guidance given to pilots indicates that “in accordance with article 33.4 of the Sporting Regulations of the Formula 1, drivers are not allowed to slow down unnecessarily, which includes stopping a car in the pit lane » during qualifying for the Grand Prix and during the Sprint Shootout.

Drivers allowed to slow down after the pit exit lights

The revised rules published for the Brazilian round add that “drivers can create a gap between the pit exit lights and the SC2 (Safety Car 2) line”, which is located at the exit of the third turn on the Interlagos circuit. “Any driver who wishes to do so must drive as far to the left as possible to allow other drivers to overtake him on the right side of the pit exit road”, specifies the FIA.

Let's now see if this new rule solves the problem created by... another rule introduced a few months earlier. Response this Friday – Sprint format required – for qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix, at 19 p.m.

ALSO READ > Excessive wear of floors: other disqualifications to come in Brazil?