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Whiting talks about new chequered flag system

Whiting talks about new chequered flag system

14-06-2018 09:30
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Bobby Vincent

Formula One race director Charlie Whiting has indicated that a new automated chequered flag system could be added to the sport in the future, following the controversy in Montreal.

The flag was shown a lap too early by model Winnie Harlow in Canada, following a miscalculation by a local official.

Not only does this have an impact on the drivers' interpretation of the race, it also has major safety risks.

Marshals could move onto the track thinking that the race has ended.

Whiting revealed that this could change by the flag being showed on the light boards that are located above the start/finish line.

"I think we'd need to probably think about having a better end of race signal," Whiting told Motorsport.com.

"The chequered flag is traditional, but it's something that, as we've seen today, is prone to mistakes.

"You could, and it would be quite straightforward for us, make the big black panel that you see show a chequered flag at the appropriate time.

"But if you're going to do it automatically, then you've got to think about exactly when you're going to do it, when you're going to activate it. It's not completely straightforward, it needs a little bit of thought.

"We need to try and get to the situation where drivers only look at the chequered flag on the light panel. If they don't see that then the race hasn't ended.

"Whether we need to go to that length to rectify a situation that happens every ten years is arguable. But it's something that I'll certainly be looking at."