Coulthard critical: 'FIA doesn't understand that Formula 1 is also a show'

The FIA has been criticised after the Italian Grand Prix. To the dismay of fans and several drivers, the race was finished behind the safety car. Because of this we may have missed an exciting fight between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, but also other fights further back in the field. Former Red Bull Racing driver David Coulthard has commented negatively on the way the FIA handled the situation.

"We were pretty much just kept in the dark. There was very little information being fed to us, and clearly different information being sent to the majority of the field. The procedure is very clear. Normally, once the instruction is given that lapped cars can retake their position, which is always a bit of a laborious process anyway, but it just didn’t happen well, and it’s left me with a deflated feeling", Coulthard says on Channel 4.

Daniel Ricciardo's car broke down at an awkward point and it took marshals a long time to clear it. In the end, there was not enough time left to restart the race. There were many boos from the fans at the circuit, who would have preferred an exciting ending.

'Formula 1 is also a show'

The Scot believes the FIA should not forget that Formula 1 is also a show. "And what was an exciting weekend of Grand Prix racing and could have been an incredible grandstand finish on soft tyres for a one-lap shootout, we go back less than 12 months, we know how that worked out in Abu Dhabi. I think what the FIA don’t really fully understand is that they’re not just a governing body which prioritises safety and everything, we are a sport, we’re a show."

Following the events of the 2021 title final, a number of changes have been made to ensure the FIA is making the right decisions. As part of that restructuring, a virtual control room has been added to assist the stewards during the race. According to Coulthard, this is only delaying decisions. Several team bosses said after the race that the FIA could have acted faster.