Breaking:Three F1 drivers subject to further FIA tests after….read more
Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, the FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, conducted standard checks on all 10 teams. However, three teams—Red Bull, Racing Bulls, and Alpine—faced additional scrutiny following multiple driver changes early in the season.
The Japanese Grand Prix marks the third race of the 2025 Formula 1 calendar, which includes 24 races, and has already seen some driver reshuffling. Notably, within the Red Bull family, changes were made after the Chinese Grand Prix. Liam Lawson, initially promoted to a Red Bull seat, was demoted back to the junior Racing Bulls team, allowing Yuki Tsunoda the chance to step up and drive for the main Red Bull team.
Due to this change, both Red Bull and Racing Bulls underwent extra checks by the FIA, as their teams had swapped drivers mid-season. The FIA’s decision to conduct additional scrutiny on these teams was not an isolated case, as Alpine also made a driver change for the weekend. Alpine replaced Jack Doohan for Free Practice 1 (FP1) with their reserve driver, Ryo Hirakawa. This resulted in Alpine also being subjected to the same heightened checks as Red Bull and Racing Bulls.
As a result of these changes, the FIA focused more closely on the three teams with new driver line-ups compared to the other seven teams on the grid. The governing body’s checks were based on safety and regulatory standards, including the crucial cockpit exit time test, which is mandated by Article 12.5.1 of the 2025 FIA Formula 1 Technical Regulations. This test ensures that all drivers can safely exit their vehicles within a prescribed time frame in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the clearance of the driver’s knees, as outlined in Article 12.5.4(d) of the regulations, was also checked to confirm that it meets the required standards.
- The official document from the FIA confirmed that the cockpit exit time and knee clearance checks for Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, and Ryo Hirakawa had been successfully carried out. These checks are part of the broader technical inspections that ensure all drivers can safely perform their duties and exit the vehicle if necessary, contributing to overall safety during the race weekend.
In summary, while the rest of the teams faced the standard regulatory checks, Red Bull, Racing Bulls, and Alpine underwent further scrutiny due to their driver swaps. The FIA’s additional inspections serve to uphold safety and compliance with the 2025 technical regulations, particularly concerning cockpit exit times and driver clearance, both of which are critical for driver safety during emergencies.
