Breaking news
Formula 1 70th Anniversary GP
F1 drivers can't use pitlane 'shortcut' on last lap
Formula 1 drivers have been reminded by the FIA that they should cross the line on the last lap of the 70th Anniversary GP on the track, and not in the pitlane.
Adam Cooper
Published: Aug 9, 2020, 11:38 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The subject has been highlighted after it was realised that Lewis Hamilton could have gained an advantage after his last-lap failure in the British GP by heading into the pitlane and crossing the line there.
Unlike many circuits, the pit entry at Silverstone represents a shortcut relative to drivers who stay on the circuit and negotiate the Club complex of corners.
Despite struggling with a front left tyre that was falling apart, Hamilton opted to stay on track and complete the lap, and he crossed the line 5.8 seconds clear of the pursuer Max Verstappen. However, the task of staying in front would have been easier if he had pitted.
In the past, notes issued by the late FIA race director Charlie Whiting included a reference to drivers using the pitlane on the last lap, but latterly that paragraph has been omitted.
Following a discussion in Thursday's regular meeting of team managers the topic was discussed in the light of what happened to Hamilton, with the prospect of a repeat this weekend.
Current race director Masi duly amended the notes and an update he issued on Sunday read: "In the interests of sporting fairness and to facilitate the orderly conduct of the event in accordance with the provisions of the FIA International Sporting Code, any car which does not cross the control line on the track to finish the race will be referred to the stewards."
It's understood that the stewards will take any mitigating circumstances into account.
Pit entry short cuts have been an issue in Formula 1 in the past, notably at Donington Park, where in the 1993 European GP drivers coming recorded faster laps than those who stayed in track. Buenos Aires was another track where a car could gain an advantage by heading into the pits.
The 1998 British GP at Silverstone featured a controversial finish when Michael Schumacher came into the pitlane, crossed the line as winner, and then headed to his pit to serve a meaningless penalty.
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 Stroll Sr "appalled" by "poor sportsmanship" of rivals
Next article Ferrari: It's our "duty" to support struggling Vettel
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Adam Cooper
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Latest news
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
53 min
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
1 h
The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 2 h
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
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