Formula 1 Brazilian GP
F1 drivers now banned from pitlane blocking amid FIA impeding clampdown
Formula 1 drivers have been banned from stopping in the fast lane of the pits during qualifying sessions at the Brazilian Grand Prix as part of a new impeding clampdown.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Nov 3, 2023, 1:54 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
A recent move by the FIA to avoid dangerous traffic problems on track in qualifying has seen a maximum lap time imposed on in laps and out laps.
This has, however, triggered an unintended consequence of drivers being unable to find clear gaps behind rivals once they begin their preparation laps, so they try to engineer this clear air in the pitlane.
There have been several occasions where drivers slow down dramatically, or even stop entirely, in the pit exit – holding up rivals behind them. This is a potential breach of rules that outlaws the impeding of other cars.
Such a tactic reached a peak at last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix when Max Verstappen, George Russell and Fernando Alonso were all investigated for stopping in the pit exit in Q1 as they tried to build a gap, although all were subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing.
The widespread nature of the problem there led to calls for a better solution to be found, which has now been enacted by F1 race director Niels Wittich ahead of this weekend’s Sao Paulo event.
In Wittich’s event notes that are sent to all teams ahead of the Brazilian GP, he said that a new standard of behaviour was expected from drivers in both the main qualifying and the sprint shootout.
He stated that drivers were now strictly prohibited from holding up rivals in the fast lane of the pits during qualifying sessions, and he laid out strict guidelines on where drivers would be allowed to find their gaps.
Photo by: Motorsport Images
Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB19, leads Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri AT04, Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri AT04, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL60, Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo C43, Lance Stroll, Aston Martin AMR23, Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo C43, and others out of the pit lane
In the notes, he said: “As per article 33.4 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, drivers are not allowed to go unnecessarily slow, that includes stopping a car in the fast lane of the pitlane.
“During Shootout and Qualifying, drivers may create a gap between the pit exit lights and the SC2 line.
“Any driver who wishes to do so must drive as far to the left as possible to allow other drivers to pass them on the right side of the pit exit road.”
McLaren boss Andrea Stella said in Mexico that the problem of pitlane impeding was so serious that an urgent solution was required.
“I think immediate action needs to be taken,” said Stella. “It's not a good spectacle. It makes the operations very difficult because you send your car and you actually don't know when your car is going to get on track.
“It puts all drivers too much at the mercy of the other drivers. And this for me starts to be unfair. We need to create policy aspects and ruling aspects to control the situation, which I think is just inappropriate.”
Read Also:
Formula 1Sainz: Current F1 sprint format "too revealing" of Sunday races
Formula 1Andretti: F1 teams think "we are a bunch of hillbillies"
Formula 1Alonso warns of "consequences" over unfounded F1 rumours
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Sainz: Current F1 sprint format "too revealing" of Sunday races
Next article Haas should have heeded burned-out Mexico F1 brake sensor warning
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
Christian Horner admits he doesn't need F1 return after £67 million Red Bull payout
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
12 min
Christian Horner admits he doesn't need F1 return after £67 million Red Bull payout
Jorge Martin braced for “really difficult, painful” MotoGP weekend with broken arm
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
15 min
Jorge Martin braced for “really difficult, painful” MotoGP weekend with broken arm
Alex Marquez moves to end MotoGP Qatar GP speculation: 'The race is confirmed'
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Alex Marquez moves to end MotoGP Qatar GP speculation: 'The race is confirmed'
Jorge Martin declared fit to start Malaysian GP weekend
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Jorge Martin declared fit to start Malaysian GP weekend
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe