FIA steps in again at Sepang: pit-lane 'hazard' that already cost Antonelli a warning is removed

The bollard was initially positioned at the edge of the track in the final corner, Turn 15, to indicate the start of the pit entry. According to the race director's notes, any driver who ran wide and ended up to the right of the bollard had to enter the pit lane and drive through it. Rejoining the track was not allowed. That rule immediately caused issues in the first two practice sessions.

In the first free practice session, Liam Lawson and Valtteri Bottas already fell foul of the rule. Both drivers were shown the black-and-white flag for failing to follow the instruction and remaining on track after passing the bollard. In the second session, championship leader Kimi Antonelli did the same. His Mercedes teammate George Russell also ran wide but followed the instruction and went into the pits. Such a warning costs nothing in practice. In the race, the same mistake could have been far more costly.

Turn 15 is a hairpin leading onto the start-finish straight. That’s where a pursuer lines up an attack into Turn 1. Especially in a battle for position, a driver may run wide there. The incidents showed what could have happened if a driver in a race, while fighting another car, had gone wide in the final corner. Anyone who then ended up to the right of the bollard would have been forced through the pit lane, losing significant time. Anyone who stayed on track risked a penalty.

The FIA has therefore amended the race director’s notes and moved the bollard further back. Drivers who run wide at Turn 15 can now remain on the track without having to go around the bollard and being committed to the pit lane.

Earlier this week, the FIA already intervened regarding the starting grid. GPBlog had earlier explained how FIA stepped in at the last minute as the Sepang pole position was on the wrong side of the track. The start line also had to be moved.

Formula 1 is back at Sepang for the first time since 2017, with the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix. With the bollard now repositioned, the track’s final pitfall for Sunday appears to have been removed.