The FIA has explained some of the decisions that they took in Qatar GP after consultation with F1 Race Control as it seeks to answer some of the questions raised.
The officiating and the penalties awarded in F1 Qatar GP raised questions not just from the drivers but also the teams alike. It started with the one place grid drop for Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for the grand prix after a rare penalty applied by the F1 stewards which didn’t sit well with the Dutchman.
Mercedes and George Russell pressured the out lap case that resulted in a penalty. During the grand prix, the FIA Race Director didn’t call up for a Virtual Safety Car and or Safety Car when a mirror fell off at the main straight, just beside the racing line in a potentially dangerous place.
After Valtteri Bottas ran over it, that potentially caused punctures to Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz which forced them into a safety car. Beside that, a 10s stop and go penalty for McLaren’s Lando Norris was widely discussed too. The team and driver accepted the penalty, but felt it was way too harsh.
Likewise, a drive-through penalty to Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton for speeding in pitlane also created discussions apart from others investigations and penalties to Mercedes’ George Russell, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Visa Cash App RB’s Liam Lawson.
The FIA explained the delay in safety car deployment by simply stating that the debris was not on the racing line to deploy it immediately. Once it split after Bottas ran over it and caused potential punctures, it warranted for an immediate deployment. A VSC was ruled out as well due to the spread out field.
Safety car deployment –
- Normal practice is for the safety car not to be deployed if there is a small amount of debris, and off the racing line.
- The extensive debris after a car hit the mirror and the punctures that occurred shortly after forced the decision on a safety car.
- A VSC would not have been a solution, as the cars remain spread-out and there is not sufficient time for a marshal to clear the debris.
- The FIA constantly reviews its methods and processes and will analyse further the specific scenario, and discuss it with the teams, in order to see whether in the future a different course of action needs to be taken.
Regarding the penalty to Norris, it noted that the guidelines sent to team in February of 2024 reflected on stringent penalties imposed for double yellow infringements. On the other hand, the FIA also clarified the safety car lights malfunctioning, but didn’t touch on any other penalties.
Lando Norris penalty –
- The penalty was in accordance with the penalty guidelines circulated to the teams on 19 February 2024.
- A double yellow flag infringement is considered a serious compromise of safety, which is why such offences carry such a severe penalty.
Safety Car lights malfunction –
- During the 2nd safety car period, the lights malfunctioned.
- All teams were verbally advised that the SC would be coming in, so the re-start took place in the normal fashion.
- While the reason for the malfunction was identified and fixed, out of caution, the safety car was swapped in time for its 3rd deployment.
Here’s punctures: https://www.formula1.com/en/video/2024-qatar-grand-prix-safety-car-out-after-punctures-for-hamilton-and-sainz-on-the-same-lap.1817262809126218006
Here’s Lando Norris penalty: https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2024%20Qatar%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Infringement%20-%20Car%204%20-%20Failing%20to%20slow%20under%20double%20waved%20yellow%20flags.pdf
Here’s how F1 Qatar GP panned out
Here’s link to a F1 Discord channel, join in to interact
