BREAKING NEWS: FIA shut down big F1 loopholes used by Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen as ruled changed
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has taken steps to address two significant loopholes in the regulations that benefited top drivers Max Veram dan Lewis Hamilton in the previous season. The changes, which come into effect ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, aim to promote fair play and enhance safety in the sport.
One of the key amendments is to Article 26.10 of the F1 sporting code, which grants the F1 race director, Rui Marques, the authority to instruct a driver to stop their car immediately if it has sustained substantial damage to a structural component or experienced a significant failure or fault. This change is designed to prevent drivers from continuing to drive with damaged cars, which can lead to debris on the track and increase the risk of punctures for other drivers.
The FIA has also revised Article 43.8, which now requires all cars starting from the pit lane to join the formation lap. Previously, drivers who started from the pit lane were not obligated to participate in the formation lap, which gave them an unfair advantage. For instance, Lewis Hamilton benefited from this loophole during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, where he started from the pit lane and avoided the formation lap. This allowed him to preserve his tires and make a stronger comeback during the race.
The revised Article 43.8 eliminates two significant loopholes that drivers had exploited in the past. Firstly, it prevents drivers from changing their tires during a wet race while their competitors are completing the formation lap. Secondly, it removes the advantage gained from an aborted start, where drivers could save an extra lap of fuel and use it as a higher fuel mix during the race.
The FIA’s decision to empower the race director to instruct drivers to stop their cars is a significant step towards enhancing safety in the sport. This change is particularly relevant in light of the incident involving Sergio Pérez during the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix. Pérez’s car sustained damage after switching to slick tires, and he returned to the pit lane with a broken rear wing, leaving debris on the track. The stewards ultimately handed Pérez a three-place grid penalty and fined his team, Red Bull, £20,650 for the offense.
By closing these loopholes, the FIA aims to promote a more level playing field and reduce the risk of accidents during races. The changes demonstrate the governing body’s commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of the sport, and drivers, teams, and fans alike will be watching with interest to see how these revisions impact the upcoming season.
