FIA issues statement for ending the race behind the safety car

The Italian Grand Prix seemed to be on its way to a blistering end on Sunday afternoon, but the race control decided to close the race behind the safety car. The decision could count on little enthusiasm afterwards, but a spokesman for the FIA explains in conversation with Motorsport.com that it was done according to the rules.

The engine in Daniel Ricciardo's car stopped suddenly at the end of the race, forcing the Australian to retire his car. With a few laps to go, a restart seemed possible, but it did not happen.

According to the spokesman, the marshals could not get the car into neutral and could not push it out of the track, so they were left with a problem. Moreover, the incident would not have been big enough to warrant a red flag.

The FIA emphasises that safety always comes first and that is why it decided to finish behind the safety car. According to the spokesperson, the moment of the safety car is ultimately unimportant for the decision-making process, as a result of which the organisation remains fully behind the choice.