Several drivers defend the virtual safety car

The drivers present at a press conference in the paddock of the Mexican GP on the Hermanos Rodriguez circuit all defended the presence of the virtual safety car in the race. The competitors were questioned about the practice of this rule, after Daniel Ricciardo was trapped at the restart of the race in Austin (Texas) on October 25 by being overtaken by Nico Rosberg who had accelerated earlier.

“I don’t think it’s a big problem.”, commented Fernando Alonso. “I know it's been a little strange in Austin because we've had a lot of them and we've been in groups all the time. We have to discuss it with the race director (of the FIA, Charlie Whiting) to find tips if that's necessary, but it's the same for everyone. You have to be focused and on the lookout. »

“I think it works pretty well”, said Will Stevens. “ If a situation does not require the entry of the safety car, that should normally keep things as they are... In Russia (in Sochi, October 11), the cars at the back of the peloton regrouped when the virtual safety car came out at the start of the event. The system should still be able to improve. »

Lewis Hamilton, Pastor Maldonado, Sergio Pérez and Carlos Sainz Jr also gave a favorable opinion on the implementation of the virtual safety car.