FIA establishes location for practice starts after Hamilton penalty

In Russia, Lewis Hamilton was punished with two five-second time penalties for making test-starts in places where it was not permitted. As a result, the FIA tightened the regulations in the run-up to the race at the Nürburgring, reports Racefans.net.

Fixed place for test starts

Formula 1 race leader Michael Masi has ensured that there can be no doubt about the place where the test starts can be done and indicates this place explicitly. "Practice starts may be carried out after the end of the pit wall and adjacent to the orange band on the right-hand side barrier," Masi informed the drivers. The regulations continue: "During this time any driver passing a car which has stopped to carry out a practice start may cross the white [pit lane exit] line. Any driver crossing this line must move back to the right of it as quickly as possible.”

So this weekend there is only one, clearly marked place for test starts. Hamilton also initially received two penalty points on his licence, but these were later withdrawn. For this weekend he will at least know where he can carry out his test start.