Formula One is a beautiful sport. But damn contradictory. We are witnessing a close fight on the track between Max Verstappen, the young and talented driver who advances and wants to impose himself, and Lewis Hamilton who tries in every way not to give the scepter of command to his Dutch rival. But that’s not all: behind Mercedes and Red Bull there is a midfield that is entertaining us with very tight battles between drivers, including our boys Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, looking for a place in the spotlight. In short, while we are waiting and hoping for Ferrari to return to fight for victories, it is still a very interesting season.
Despite the fact that the action on track is at the highest levels, we have been observing, in recent times, much more heated tensions and discussions which do not focus on the battles on track, but rather the FIA courts which could be involved from a moment to the other. In seven days we are racing in France and we will know how the flexi-wings affair ended, if it ends. Yesterday we told you about another front that could flare up like an August fire if the Pirelli analyzes verify beyond a reasonable doubt that some team manage to change the tire pressure during the race by by avoding the static controls.
To this political-sporting issue, there could be another problem which the FIA intends to regulate. In other words, setting up penalties in the event of a qualifying session ending with red flags. Just saying in this way it is hard to understand, so we should enlarge on the subject to give specific details and facts. And to do this, you need to make a flashback to the Monaco Grand Prix. During the last fast laps of Q3 Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, who held the best time, crashed heavily at the exit of the swimming pools. Result? Session ended and it was impossible for his rivals to complete a lap that would allow them to beat the Monegasque from the top of the standings. The home driver kept pole position taking advantage of an involuntary impediment caused to the other drivers who claimed the legitimate right to put together a good lap, including Carlos.
There is little doubt about the intention of Charles Leclerc’s gesture: it was simply an accident resulting from the desire to improve. So stupid conspiracy theories should be immediately avoided. The fact is that the red flag caused a manifest impediment, also due to the conformation of the Principality’s track layout. And this is the situation on which Michael Masi intends to act.
The reference model could be that of IndyCar. In the American series it is stipulated that if a driver causes red flags his two best timed laps of qualifying are canceled. A simple, clear, understandable rule, which does not give rise to sterile polemics useful only to incite the masses and to fill pages of sports gossip. This kind of solution is therefore being examined by the competent authorities as explained by the heir of the late Charlie Whiting: “We will analyze the pros, cons and unwanted consequences of this system. However, this is a real problem that we want to tackle in Formula 1.” – he explained.
Michael Masi clarifies that it is necessary to understand whether the driver who stopped the session could have avoided the red flag with different moves. Hence the possible need to sanction illegal behavior. A mechanism that could and should work as a psychological deterrent – and not only – to allow sessions to finish without artificial issues as has happened in other situations in the past. Especially in Monaco with illustrious protagonists representatives of this sport. “There are many considerations to make. All of us – explained the race director – will evaluate what to do and if it is deemed necessary to introduce this rule it will be decided in due time.” – he added.
The Australian director is no newcomer to the subject as he has had the opportunity to evaluate and apply the rule throughout his career: “Yes, I’ve already used it. In different contexts. When I was in Australia – he explained – it was used in the Australian Supercars. Even if it was introduced for different purposes.”
Formula One, therefore, intends to equip itself with a new rule that makes a phase of the race weekend as transparent as possible. But you have to be careful because the poorly written rule could generate problems instead of solving them. It is necessary to completely eliminate the lack of equality or interpratation in certain situations. Or at least limit it. Otherwise, once again we run into the age-old problem of discrepancy of judgment with the adjoining controversial castle in the following hours. Sometimes simple common sense would be enough without going to borrow dynamics that do not belong to Formula 1. It would be enough to extend the session with extra time – where possible for television reasons or for the simple ability to restore the places of the accident – so as to allow the other protagonists to finish their fast laps.
The cancellation of the two best times is a valid solution, but to be used as a last resort. For example in the event of changes in track conditions after the track has been restored. In any case, 2021 should go by without such changes. The hypothesis could instead take shape next year, when Formula 1 will experience a new technical and regulatory era.
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