FIA clarifies double yellow flag rule in qualifying

During the summer in Hungary, the affair of the double yellow flag displayed in qualifying caused a lot of ink to flow. Nico Rosberg had indeed been placed under investigation for not having slowed down enough when the double yellow flag was displayed on the track following an error Fernando Alonso.

Cleared by the commissioners, the German was able to keep the benefit of his lap and start from pole position. A decision which sparked criticism, notably from his teammate Lewis Hamilton, yet winner in Budapest.

This Saturday, before qualifying, the FIA ​​clarified the rule concerning the double yellow flag procedure in qualifying and free practice, via a note sent to the teams. “In the event of a double yellow flag, any driver passing through a double yellow flag sector must reduce their speed significantly and be prepared to change direction or stop.

So that the stewards are convinced that every driver has respected these requirements, it must be clear that the latter did not attempt to set a significant lap time. This means that the driver must abandon his turn (this does not necessarily mean that he must go through the pits if the track is declared free the following lap). » specifies the FIA ​​press release.

The rule for a simple yellow flag mentions that “Drivers must reduce speed and be prepared to change direction. It must be obvious that the driver reduced his speed and, for this to be clear, the driver must have braked earlier and/or significantly reduced his speed in the relevant sector.

Drivers should not overtake a car in a yellow flag sector unless it is clear that a car has an obvious problem, for example accident damage, or a puncture. »