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FIA intervenes: unnecessary stopping in pit lane no longer allowed
The FIA has acted upon the situation that had been talked about recently: stopping at the end of the pit lane. Max Verstappen came under a magnifying glass twice as a result but was not penalised. From the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil, such action will indeed be penalised.
FIA intervenes after Verstappen action
As part of a new measure against obstructing others, Formula 1 drivers are no longer allowed to stop unnecessarily in the 'fast lane' during qualifying. This includes the end of the pit lane.
A recent measure by the FIA imposed a maximum lap time on F1 drivers to prevent them from hindering each other. However, this measure had the added consequence of drivers stopping extra long at the end of the pit lane to leave a gap. Verstappen was one of the drivers who did so and was investigated for it, but a penalty did not come as this particular case was not clearly described in the regulations.
That has now changed: "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 pit lane," said the FIA's addition, clarified in a document by race director Niels Wittich.
"During Shootout 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."