GPDA writes to Michael Masi after chaotic Mugello restart

4 cars on the carpet, 12 drivers warned: the relaunch of the Tuscan Grand Prix and the frightening disaster that followed are still in everyone's minds while the F1 stops off this week in Russia. 

Romain Grosjean, who was at the forefront of the accident and serves as director of the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association), revealed from Sochi that the association had sent a letter to FIA race director Michael Masi . 

« We asked to work together to see what changes could be made, confided the pilot Haas. I imagine the pilots will bring the subject up to the briefing, that's for sure. We'll see what happens. 

I think a chain of little things snowballed into a big crash in the end. Bottas was completely within his rights by driving slowly. It happened more behind where the smart guys accelerated then suddenly braked. It's like a traffic jam on the highway when it starts again. We're lucky no one got hurt. ».  

For several years, drivers have been prohibited from overtaking before a line called the “control line” during a re-start, whereas they could do so from the Safety Car line previously. However, this marker was on a huge straight line in Mugello, which contributed to the accordion effect and its unfortunate consequences. 

The second problem is the increasingly late turning off of the Safety Car lights. The drivers may well be warned well in advance that the race will resume, but the lead man (Valtteri Bottas at Mugello) cannot slow down and move back a distance greater than 10 car lengths behind the Safety Car as long as the lights are on. 

Previously, the Safety Car had the habit of turning off its lights at the start of the 3rd sector, which gave the leader time to slow down everyone and restart before the last corner. 

Masi had felt “ insult » in Tuscany when certain drivers, notably the duo Mercedes, had suggested that the rule had been changed to favor the spectacle on the track. The Australian race director then declared that the regulations did not need to be changed. 

Involved in the accident, Carlos Sainz explained that he was going clearly » raise the subject Friday evening during the traditional Drivers briefing. 

« I want to wait until I have heard everyone's opinion, to listen to the explanations of some who left big gaps on the track, and to know why the Safety Car lights were turned off so late, said the Spaniard. 

We must learn from the situation and see how we can improve things. But it would be unfair to criticize this or that driver or the FIA ​​in the media ».