F1 rules change to prevent repeat of Verstappen-Bearman Australian GP confusion · RaceFans

The FIA has revised Formula 1’s rules to prevent a repeat of a confusing situation which occured during the Australian Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen was surprised to see Oliver Bearman’s Haas emerge from the pits immediately in front of him during a Safety Car period on lap 41. Bearman had been allowed to un-lap himself moments earlier, then came into the pits which dropped him back behind the Safety Car.

This was a cause for concern at Red Bull, as it left Verstappen with a lapped car between him and the leading McLaren drivers. Red Bull mistakenly believed Bearman would remain there until the restart.

Verstappen asked his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase: “So this car is now staying here, or what?” Lambiase told him: “That’s correct. He’ll have to let you go immediately [after the restart].” In fact, Bearman was allowed to un-lap himself again, which allowed Verstappen to restart the race with no lapped cars in front of him.

The FIA has changed its rules to guard against a repeat of this situation by giving the race director the power to close the pit lane entrance when drivers are un-lapping themselves during a Safety Car period.

Updated regulations published yesterday state: “If the clerk of the course considers it safe to do so, the message ‘lapped cars may now overtake’ will be sent to all competitors using the official messaging system, and the green light on the safety car will be illuminated to signal to all cars that have been lapped by the leader that they are required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the Safety Car. […]

“Having overtaken the cars on the lead lap and the Safety Car these cars should then proceed around the track at an appropriate speed, without overtaking and make every effort to take up position at the back of the line of cars behind the Safety Car. Whilst such cars are proceeding around the track to rejoin the line of cars behind the Safety Car, and at the sole discretion of the race director, the pit lane exit may be closed when the Safety Car and line of cars behind it are approaching and passing the pit lane exit.”

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