The FIA has tweaked the rules around lapped cars following several complaints that passing a backmarker has become increasingly difficult with the new generation of cars, as it has become harder to close up to another car under the new aerodynamic regulations.
Cars that are about to be lapped are shown a blue flag when leading cars get to within a second on track, which is a signal that the slower car must move over as a "priority" – if they fail to do so after being shown three consecutive blue flags, then they could face a penalty.
The 'blue flag' rule will remain largely unchanged, with a car that is about to be lapped by a leading car still being shown a pre-warning when a chasing car is three seconds behind. That consists of a warning to the team to tell their driver that a lead car is approaching.
This is done automatically by Formula 1's timing system to "ensure consistent application of the rules".
But this weekend, blue flags will now be shown trackside, along with a cockpit warning light and a timing screen message, when a lead car is within 1.2 seconds, two-tenths earlier than previously, meaning backmarkers will be required to move over sooner "at the first available opportunity".
The FIA hasn't confirmed if this change will remain for the remainder of the season, of if it is just for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend.
