Nico Rosberg, Formula 1 champion in 2016, has suggested a significant modification to the rules of the virtual safety car (VSC) aimed at preventing unfair advantages during pit stops. This proposal arises after the recent Spanish Grand Prix, where Lando Norris, driver for McLaren, was frustrated by a poorly timed VSC moment that compromised his winning chances.
Norris had gained a good lead at the front of the race before the VSC was deployed to recover Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin. The McLaren driver, after having passed the pit entry zone, lost the opportunity to enter and make a stop at a reasonable cost, while his rivals, who managed to pit, benefited from this situation.
In the end, Norris finished the race in third place, behind Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes and Max Verstappen from Red Bull.
In statements to Sky Sports, Rosberg commented that the VSC situation can create moments of chance that affect the race outcome. ‘No, it’s really unfortunate. That’s how it works. This will always generate luck and bad luck with the implementations of the VSC and safety car,’ said Rosberg, who added that it is ‘horrible’ for a driver to lose a victory due to a situation like this.
Rosberg proposes that to avoid advantages during a VSC, pit stops be completely closed or that there be a significantly drastic reduction in the maximum speed on track at the time of entering the pits. ‘During a VSC, the time you lose in the pits is much less because everyone is driving more slowly,’ he argued. This causes drivers who choose to pit to have less time loss compared to what would happen under normal circumstances.
Rosberg believes that some mechanism to balance pit stop timings could improve the situation and make races fairer and more competitive for all drivers.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
