Whiting rejects F1 stoppage times

The accident at the German Grand Prix has sparked controversy regarding the frantic race delivered by the teams in the pits. With ever shorter stops, the risk of error increases. This is how one of the wheels of the Red Bull of Mark Webber separated from the car going so far as to hit and injure a cameraman. If the measures have been reinforced, including the installation of a safety button on the mechanics' guns and compulsory protection for people in the stands, the idea of ​​imposing minimum times during stops has been his way into the paddock of the F1.

However, Charlie Whiting has indicated that this option is no longer relevant at the moment. “We discussed it but it’s not something that will be implemented, that’s for sure”, assured the FIA ​​race director on NBC. “I think it would be a bad decision and I don’t think it would change anything. It is clear that Mark Webber's wheel accident at the Nürburgring was the starting point for many debates. If speed is the issue, I don't think mandatory minimum downtime changes anything. They will always want to change the wheels quickly. »

This season, drivers will have to respect a speed limit of 80km/h in the pits throughout the weekend (except in Melbourne, Monaco and Singapore where the limit will be 60km/h) while the speed was previously limited to 60km/h during free practice and 100km/h during qualifying and the race.