With just two races left in the 2024 season, drivers met with the FIA ahead of the Qatar GP to address ongoing concerns over racing guidelines. The discussion was sparked by recent controversies involving Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in the US and Mexico.
The debate centered on the rule requiring inside drivers to leave space for outside rivals from apex to corner exit. Many drivers believe this rule should be removed.
Russell gives his thoughts
The current GPDA chairman, George Russell speaking about the racing guidelines, said:
“Right now, there is a line of regulation that says the inside driver needs to leave room to the guy on the outside from the apex to the exit. I think that’s going to be getting binned off, and I hope it’s going to be from this weekend onwards.”
Russell emphasized the traditional karting principle that the inside driver has the right to run the outside driver wide, provided they remain on the track.
“If you are the overtaking car on the inside, rule number one is you have to be able to stay on the circuit,” he stated. “If you’re able to stay on the circuit, you are in your right to run the driver wide, as it has been for all of us since go-karting.”
The controversy surrounding these rules was amplified after Norris was penalized in Austin for overtaking Verstappen while going off-track. Just a week later in Mexico, Verstappen was penalized twice for his own aggressive moves against Norris.
“I think everybody’s clear with what happened in Austin, what should have been a penalty,” Russell said. “What happened in Mexico was rightly penalised. And generally speaking, over the course of the year, I think the decisions have been pretty good. It was just probably Austin that was the outlier. So, yeah, just fine tweaks.”
Drivers ask for the implementation of gravel traps
The meeting, which lasted nearly an hour, also addressed how circuit design plays a significant role in racing controversies. Certain track layouts, with wide run-offs and minimal consequences for going off-track, often encourage risky manoeuvres. Both Russell and Verstappen pointed to gravel traps as a potential solution to deter risky moves.
“We also concluded that most of these issues are down to the circuits,” Russell said. “We spoke about a number of the issues in Austin. I think a lot of the overtakes wouldn’t have even been attempted had there been gravel there such as Austria Turn 4.”
The now 4-time champion mirrored this sentiment, emphasizing the impact of track design.
“The main problem is the tracks that allow these kinds of things,” Verstappen noted. “If you have gravel, that actually stops you from doing things that – taking a bit more risk than normal.”
Russell further illustrated how different circuits influence racing behaviour. “Silverstone, at Stowe, there was obviously a great race a couple of years ago with Lewis [Hamilton], Checo [Perez], and Charles [Leclerc]. Ultimately everyone was off the track, but that’s because the track allowed you.”
“That’s the best meeting we’ve had” – Hamilton
Another topic discussed was the potential introduction of a warning system for minor infractions, similar to yellow cards in other sports. However, this idea was met with resistance.
“There was talk of, like, a warning being issued to drivers that went against the racing rules – similar to such rules in other sports. That’s basically like a yellow card in your hand,” Lewis Hamilton said. “But if you waited for the last race of the year to utilise your one warning, that doesn’t work.”
Despite some disagreements, Hamilton praised the overall meeting as one of the most constructive between drivers and the FIA.
“So, we’re just working away together. I think just from that meeting, we definitely will be moving in the right direction,” Hamilton said. “That’s the best meeting I would say we’ve had.”
With F1’s season nearing its end, all eyes are on the FIA to swiftly implement these “fine tweaks.” Reports suggest that an official announcement is around the corner. The drivers will be watching closely to see if the new racing guidelines ensure fairer, more consistent driving.
