F1 rules changed for Brazil GP after controversial Max Verstappen penalty call

02 November 2023 , 19:55

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George Russell was one of several drivers accused of blocking the pit lane in Mexico (Image: Sky Sports)

The FIA has clamped down on impeding offences after several drivers blocked the pit lane during Mexico Grand Prix qualifying last weekend.

Max Verstappen and George Russell were both investigated for stopping at the end of the pit lane and preventing their rivals from going out on track, as was Fernando Alonso. But none of them received a punishment from the stewards.

Explaining that decision, the fact that drivers have to adhere to a minimum lap time between the safety car lines on track during qualifying was taken into account. "It is better to have the potential of cars backing-up in the pit lane or at the pit exit, instead of the potentially dangerous situation of large speed differences on track," said the stewards,

They also said they were happy that Verstappen and Russell were acting "in good faith". But they said a "better solution" needed to be found going forward.

And just a week later, the FIA has acted. At this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, drivers will no longer be allowed to stop in the fast lane of the pits during qualifying, stopping them from impeding their rivals in that manner.

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The pre-race event notes, sent to the teams by race director Niels Wittich, make it clear that drivers will be penalised if they are found to have held up their rivals by stopping or slowing down for no reason in the fast lane during qualifying.

"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 pitlane," the document reads.

"During Shootout [for Saturday's Sprint race] and Qualifying, drivers may create a gap between the pit exit lights and the SC2 line. Any driver who wishes to do so must drive as far to the left as possible to allow other drivers to pass them on the right side of the pit exit road."

It comes after Martin Brundle called for intervention. "Perhaps [drivers] should be obliged to stop in the middle lane rather than the fast lane. However, there are two issues there, the cars wouldn't then be spaced out particularly well on track, and some circuits like Monaco don't have the space for a spare middle pit lane like that," the Sky Sports pundit wrote.

"It does seem unfair for teams positioned at the far end of the pit lane, and those drivers who need to get out and get on with regard to their qualifying lap preparation. For now, I guess we have to explain that it's an acceptable practice by precedent, let the drivers and teams sort it out among themselves, and look for a better solution."

Daniel Moxon