IndyCar refines its regulations

The officials of theIndyCar reacted following the Long Beach Grand Prix (California) where several elements disrupted the weekend. Before the Alabama GP contested this Sunday, April 24 at the Barber Motorsports Park, several points of the regulations were reviewed.

The revival of simon pagenaud at Long Beach, seen by several drivers as having been illegal, pushed officials to set up a virtual pit exit line. Each car will be equipped with a transponder which will ensure exit from the stands complies with the regulations. Timing equipment will also be optimized.

Following Will Power's spin during the last qualifying session in Long Beach, the organizers introduced a rule to avoid confusion within the teams. If a red flag occurs at the end of the session during the Firestone Fast Six and the remaining time is not enough for the drivers to complete a lap, they will have one last opportunity to set a time when the green flag is displayed again.

The car causing the interruption will not be allowed to return to the track during the session. The driver in question will always see his two best times canceled and will not be able to take part in the following session.

« The changes made during Segment 3 (the Firestone Fast Six) of qualifying on street or road circuits were made to simplify procedures and force cars to take to the track quickly in order to improve the spectacle for spectators., explained Jay Frye, president of competition and operations of IndyCar. “We want to avoid the Firestone Fast Six ending with a red flag and we have allowed each driver to complete one lap at the end of the session. »

Drivers who complete at least five laps (including pit exit and entry laps) during the first 20 minutes of the first practice session contested under green flag on a street or road circuit will have an additional set of tires , including during test days. The time has thus been extended by five minutes compared to the old rule.