Stewards have suggested that the protocol regarding the pre-standing restart lap needs revising after a near-miss at Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix.
The race resumed behind the Safety Car following the red flag caused by Alexander Albon’s accident, in what is effectively a formation lap.
Per the protocol drivers complete that lap behind the Safety Car before re-forming on the grid for another standing start.
As the field negotiated that lap there was a difference in speeds as the drivers towards the rear of the pack approached Turn 6.
Williams driver Logan Sargeant took to the run-off while Haas’ Kevin Magnussen drove through the gravel to avoid hitting rivals.
The restart procedure was investigated but no further action was taken.
Stewards explained that the first car in line behind the Safety Car may ‘dictate the pace and, if necessary, fall more than 10 car lengths behind it.’
Lewis Hamilton was the first car in line and when the Safety Car lights went out at Turn 6 he ‘dictated the pace by going very slowly, as the regulations entitle it to do’.
George Russell, who was seventh in line, got off to a slow start from the pits and as soon as he left the pit lane sped up in order to close the gap.
According to the stewards’ report ‘that then resulted in the other cars behind Russell to be delayed leaving the pit lane and also [needed to] speed up. When Russell and the cars behind caught up with the cars in front, they were met with a significant speed delta between the two groups, resulting in a situation where a number of cars had to take evasive action.’
This was, the stewards emphasised, ‘not at all an ideal situation from a safety point of view.’
It was deemed ‘not necessary or appropriate’ to penalise Russell for a slow start from the pit lane, pointing to the pit lane speed limit combined with Russell’s immediate attempt to close the gap.
‘We do consider that part of the problem is the regulation that permits the lead car to set the pace even when the restart is for a standing start from the pit lane – as opposed to a rolling start’, read the report.
‘This should perhaps be looked at in the future to see if this is appropriate for a restart of this nature.’
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