Twenty Formulation One drivers, the FIA and stewards held a “productive” assembly on Thursday to debate the game’s overtaking guidelines forward of this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix.
The dialogue comes a month after Max Verstappen and Lando Norris had been embroiled in controversial incidents following their heated battles at the USA and Mexico Metropolis Grands Prix.
In Austin, Norris was handed a five-second penalty for overtaking Verstappen on monitor because the Pink Bull driver reached the apex of the nook first. Nevertheless, Norris and different drivers believed Verstappen pushed his rival off the monitor.
Per week later in Mexico, Verstappen was handed two 10-second time penalties for his habits throughout wheel-to-wheel racing with Norris.
Verstappen, who received his fourth consecutive F1 title in Las Vegas, publicly said that he abides by the principles of the race.
“I believe we nonetheless want to debate some issues extra,” Verstappen stated.
“However I believe it has extra to do with the monitor format. There are locations the place there’s lots of runoff and that creates lots of issues and that is one thing we’ll have to deal with sooner or later. That is the principle situation.”
“When you have gravel, that forestalls you from doing something extra adventurous than you usually would.”
George Russell, director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Affiliation, was considered one of various drivers punished in Austin for allegedly forcing one other driver off the monitor whereas overtaking.
The Mercedes driver has been calling for extra consistency within the sport and hopes for clearer guidelines in 2025.
“It was a productive assembly. I do not assume a lot wants to vary,” he informed Sky Sports activities F1.
“Simply have to eliminate some bizarre sentences, like should you overtake on the within you want to go away the width of the automobile from the apex to the exit, that is why I bought the penalty in Austin.
“There’s not essentially something within the tips about Max maneuvers, should you dive bomb and go astray. That is truly uncontrolled.
“All people agrees on this stuff. It isn’t like it’s a must to flip the entire thing the other way up and rewrite the entire rulebook. There’s just a few bizarre issues that want to vary. That is a constructive.”
Chatting with Written Media, Russell stated what drivers would in the end prefer to see is a change in monitor design to offer a pure deterrent to drivers making an attempt to overhaul.
“In case you can keep on the monitor [when overtaking on the inside] You might have the best to let the motive force exit of vary, identical to all of us have since go-karts,” he stated.
“We additionally concluded that a lot of the issues had been right down to the monitor. We mentioned lots of the problems in Austin and I believe lots of overtakings would not even be tried if there was gravel there, like Flip 4 in Austria, downhill proper hand – In case you go one or two p.c over the restrict, you find yourself on gravel.
“Silverstone at Stow, Lewis, Ceco and Charles had some nice races a couple of years in the past, however ultimately everybody left the monitor and that is as a result of the monitor means that you can try this.
“So the circuit is the basis trigger and the motive force is the interim resolution that we are able to agree on till we are able to get all of the circuits in the best state.”
Hamilton ‘welcomes’ extra conversations sooner or later
Hamilton understands Verstappen’s aggression higher than any driver on the monitor, having gone head-to-head with the Dutchman through the controversial 2021 season.
The seven-time world champion stated F1 was now “shifting in the best course” following discussions that lasted about an hour on Thursday.
“The assembly was very productive. It was the primary time we truly sat down with them,” Hamilton informed Sky Sports activities F1.
“We had clear and open discussions with the stewards they usually have a really troublesome job. Each overtaking and each scenario is completely different from one another.
“Nothing will change for these two video games however subsequent 12 months, we’re taking a look at that course of and hopefully we’ll welcome extra conversations with them.”
He later added in written media: “Of their [ the stewards’] This 12 months, there was some enchancment in consistency, however clearly everybody needs to be excellent.
“Till we have now these discussions, they will not absolutely perceive the place we stand and whether or not what we’re combating for is correct or improper in sure conditions. It is good for them to listen to that, and it is good for us to formulate It pays to have clear tips so you realize what you could have, even within the automobile.
“For instance, there’s discuss warnings, however you realize should you get a warning and also you look forward to the final sport of the 12 months to reap the benefits of your warning, that is not going to work.”
Sky Sports activities F1 Qatar Grand Prix dwell schedule
Friday, November 29
9.55am: F1 Academy Apply 1
11 a.m.: F2 observe
1pm: Qatar Grand Prix observe one (observe begins at 1.30pm)
2.55pm: F1 Academy Apply 2
4.05pm: F2 qualifying
5pm: Qatar GP dash qualifying (qualifying begins at 5.30pm)*
Saturday, November 30
12.10pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
1pm: Qatar Grand Prix dash preparations
2pm: Qatar Grand Prix Dash
3.30pm: Ted’s Dash Pocket book
4pm: F2 Dash Race
5.15pm: Qatar Grand Prix qualifying preparations
6pm: Qatar Grand Prix Qualifying Spherical
8pm: F1 Academy: Race 1
8.45pm: Ted’s Qualification Pocket book
Sunday, December 1
10.55am: F1 Academy Race 2
12.15pm: F2 Particular Race
2.30pm: Sunday Grand Prix: Qatar Grand Prix preparations
4pm: Qatar Grand Prix
6pm: Checkered Flag: Reactions to Qatar Grand Prix
7pm: Ted’s Pocket book
* Additionally broadcast dwell on Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion
Formulation One’s ultimate three races of the season proceed this weekend with the Qatar Grand Prix being broadcast dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Watch the last two F1 races and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership – no contract, cancel anytime