Formula 1 looking for solution for crashes causing red flags in qualifying

Formula 1 looking for solution for crashes causing red flags in qualifying. F1 looking for solution for red flags in qualifying.

In the last two editions of the Monaco Grand Prix there have been two cases of accidents in the last session on Saturday which led to the ending of a qualifying session, preventing other drivers from completing their fast lap and therefore having the opportunity to improve their starting position for Sunday’s Grand Prix. In F1 history, the races on the streets of Monte Carlos have been marked by several qualifying sessions that were stopped due to red flags.

Sergio Perez’s crash from last season and the consequent rumors that he would have voluntarily hit the barriers, made paddock insiders think that the red flag matter should be addressed in the Saturday session. Scuderia Ferrari Spanish driver Carlos Sainz said that “deliberate” accidents are much more common than one would think. Formula 1, unlike other motorsport championships, does not have penalties for causing red or yellow flags during qualifying.

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, explains that “I think there should be red and yellow flags, which should prevent the driver from completing the lap. It is already done in other motorsports: by retiring, or causing flags, you lose your fastest lap of that qualifying session“. Alpine’s CEO, Laurent Rossi, thinks that: “In my opinion the driver should be penalised. So, I guess the session could be extended for a lap or two, to allow the other drivers to complete their lap, with the driver getting penalised. A deep review would be needed, we should not penalize the team and the driver too quickly.” – he added.

Mike Krack, Team Principal of Aston Martin, joins the appeal of the CEO of the French team, according to which it would be difficult to immediately penalize the driver. “I have no opinion on this matter. I think you should look on a case-by-case basis, go to the sports advisory committee and look back at the last 10 years in which such situations have occurred, because it is quite easy to give a penalty someone.” – the Aston Martin boss concluded.