“We’ll look at it and, together with all of the key stakeholders, determine if it’s suitable or not” – Masi
Following a crash that saw Q3 brought to an early close in Monaco last weekend conversation has begun around implementing a particular rule used in IndyCar.
If the strict regulation came into play, and a crash was caused during any part of the Qualifying process, whoever causes the collision would have their lap time deleted.
The specific IndyCar red flag rule would have seen Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc be stripped of his pole position status in the Principality – however, FIA race director Michael Masi has said it would depend on its viability in F1.
“Like everything when everything arises, the FIA, Formula 1, and the teams look at everything and consider it on its merits,” Masi said.
“Yes, I know the IndyCar rule, which is also a rule in several other FIA international series and domestic championships around the world.
“We’ll look at it and, together with all of the key stakeholders, determine if it’s suitable or not.”
One person in favour of its implementation was Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, who told reporters;
“I didn’t know that that was the rule in the US but I think it’s an intelligent rule.
“That would avoid confusion”, he said.
“I don’t think that Charles put it in the wall today because there’s just too much at stake.
“But it would be a nice little incentive to make sure that all the polemic that such a situation provokes is out of the question, and is not happening because nobody would doubt it.”
However, Max Verstappen – who missed out on his final flying lap as a result of Saturday’s red flag says deleting Leclerc’s lap time would be unfair:
“I don’t think his lap should have or should be deleted in the future if possibly they want to make rule changes”, the Dutch driver said.
“I don’t think that would be fair – because we’re all trying so hard – and it’s not so easy around here, especially on the limit. It’s easy to make a mistake.”
