Prior to the Brazilian Grand Prix, the FIA implemented modifications to address the problem of drivers obstructing their competitors in the pit lane; however, Max Verstappen believes that a new problem has emerged.
Max Verstappen blasted the Formula One drivers for their “absolutely terrible” response to the issue of their slow driving or stopping at the end of the pit lane.
Verstappen was among the drivers who blocked the end of the pit lane during the Mexican Grand Prix qualifying last weekend. Although they escaped punishment, Brazil changed its laws to forbid such behavior.
The race director sent pre-event notes to each team and driver, stating that “as per article 33.4 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, drivers are not allowed to go unnecessarily slow, that includes stopping a car in the fast lane of the pit lane.”
Instead, drivers were instructed to slow down after leaving the pit lane as long as they pulled to the left to make room for others. It also proved effective in preventing cars from pulling into the pits during qualifying.
However, because of the pit exit’s narrow width in Brazil, passing cars had to place their right wheels on the grass in order to pass. In addition, vehicles will be traveling very slowly.
“It was just awful,” he declared. “There are some walls and a fairly lengthy pit exit on this track. However, if we use this on some other tracks, you’ll be moving very slowly onto a straight where vehicles are passing at speeds of 300 km/h or more. Additionally, you might be driving at 15, 20, or faster to close a gap, which is very risky.
This doesn’t work at all for me. It only makes matters worse. Take a look at what was going on [during qualifying]—people, including myself, were trying to pass cars on the grass. Every qualifying round is a complete mess; between six and eight cars are flagged for traveling too slowly in the allotted time. I’m not sure what goal we have in mind.”
Lando Norris was told off on Saturday for going too slowly between the safety car lines, and that is his biggest issue with the current guidelines. “I got a reprimand this morning for two cars ahead of me coming out of the pit lane, or one crossing over the safety car line, and one coming out of the pit lane at the same time,” he moaned.
“I can’t overtake, otherwise I’m gonna be racing on a qualifying lap, which is stupid. So I have to back off, and therefore I’m below the minimum time, and I get a reprimand for that. It’s just a silly thing – not that the stewards made the wrong decision, it’s just a rule that shouldn’t be, in my opinion, because I did absolutely nothing wrong.
“I didn’t block anyone, I didn’t get in anyone’s way. I’ve just not overtaken and caused a race in qualifying and I got a reprimand for that. So, just silly things. People do go slowly and things like that, but if you’re scared of it, just go out the pit lane earlier and avoid all the queuing.”
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