F1 drivers will have another set of talks with the FIA regarding the racing guidelines and stewarding after one held in Mexico, which was largely positive.
The happenings in Austin pushed for a lengthy drivers’ briefing on Saturday of F1 Mexico GP weekend. Apart from the racing guidelines, the stewarding was also discussed in the meet with various opinions flying from the drivers – largely positive and wanting changes.
One of the key deliberations as has risen after the happenings in Austin and Mexico, is the intention of making a corner, especially for drivers taking the inside line, who seemingly brake late and push their rival off-track, thereby not allowing them to pass by giving them enough room.
At the same time, for the one on the outside, the discussion is about a driver simply being neck-and-neck or ahead at the apex, gives the liberty to squeeze the driver on the inside to snatch the place. Aside this, the stewarding has been debated for long, whether to have a permanent set and or keep rotating considering the volunteering factor.
The initial set of discussions was done but consensus wasn’t reached, especially if the new guidelines have to be implanted straight on or from 2025 onward. As per George Russell, 19 of the 20 drivers were in or it, which is why the discussions will continue potentially during Qatar GP weekend.
Here’s what was said –
Lewis Hamilton: “They spoke about it for a long time. No conclusion. I think they said they were going to sit down at one of the races coming up to talk about how we can go about making it better. They did say that, they were listening and ready to sit down, so.”
George Russell: “I think the stewards are totally on board with what needs to change. Our view is, I think the biggest discussion is they wanted to wait until ’25, so it’s something consistent through this year. I would say 19 out of 20 drivers said, ‘well, if it’s incorrect, make the change today’. And I’m glad to see those incidents were punished and I suspect moving forward in Brazil what we saw in Mexico and what we saw in Austin, you won’t be able to get away with.
“You presume [it should be easy to change if everyone agrees], but it sometimes seems more difficult than it has to be when things have to get approved and we’ve got to go to a vote app. But as I said, 19 out of 20, we’re all aligned on where it needs to be.”
Carlos Sainz: “I think it was a positive, productive meeting. I think a lot of drivers opened up about how they felt about each situation and what we think is the best way forward. Yeah. How you interpret the rules and those driving guidelines that the Stewards are going to apply penalties with, they’re still the same coming into this weekend and probably I think they will be applied in a similar manner.
“But, yeah, I think moving forward it was a productive meeting and I think in Qatar we will have some solutions that hopefully will offer, I think, better understanding for the driver and better racing in general. Yeah, hopefully it should be better.”
Max Verstappen: “I think Carlos explained it perfectly. At the end of the day, everyone speaks for themselves [in the drivers’ briefing]. Of course, can the rules be better? Maybe yes, maybe not. It’s always the same thing. I mean, I just drive how I think I have to drive. in Austin, that was all right, in Mexico, 20-second penalty.”
Alexander Albon: “I think some drivers wanted a bit more imminent action on racing like that. It can create loopholes within the driving standards that we can exploit. I think they want to wait until the end of the year to really get the wording correct, which is fair. You need some time to make sure it’s all squeaky clean.
“But obviously, things like Mexico happen where it’s sensible to get everyone speaking about it and understanding from a driver’s point of view. The FIA listening to the drivers, what things we exploit and what not.”
Charles Leclerc: “I am not going to go too much into the details what was discussed inside. But we are all willing to improve some of the scenarios that we have seen in Austin because I don’t think we were all on the same line on that. However, the FIA has been very open to discuss. I think they have admitted that we have got few things to changes and going forward.
“We will try and help them in order to take better decisions and have tracks that maybe doesn’t allow controversies like Austin does because if you have got a bit of gravel trap, as I said, in some corners, it will make everybody’s life easier but it is the way it is [at the moment].”
Toto Wolff: “A driver will always push to the limit. When the rules, or the execution of the rules, or the interpretation of the rules, allow a certain way of racing, a driver like Max is always going to exploit it. I think now, there has been a new interpretation and execution of those regulations and I think it will change the way everybody races in the future. You won’t see that anymore. So will it change? Absolutely.
“I think now there is precedent. Others were taking advantage too. I believe that you probably got to, from now on, you got to leave space on the outside of the corner if the car is next to you. On the same height and braking late and dragging the other car out of the track whilst also driving off-track, I think that’s not allowed anymore. I think it’s good for racing.”
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Here’s link to a F1 Discord channel, join in to interact
