FIA votes in favor of standing starts in the rain
After much criticism for starting behind the safety car in rainy conditions, the FIA World Council has decided to introduce a standing start procedure on wet tracks in F1 next season.
Until now, a drenched track at the start of a Formula 1 race would lead to the deployment of the safety car and a rolling start, much to the dismay of observers and some drivers who found the track already suitable for intermediates at the rolling start. This rolling start allowed for a minimal amount of water to be cleared, even causing some drivers to return to the pits to switch to intermediate tires in the very first laps of the race. The FIA has decided to modify this rule to bring back the drama of a standing start, even in wet conditions.
When the start is given behind the safety car with Pirelli’s full wet tires, the laps completed behind the safety car will now be considered as additional formation laps. However, all but the first will be deducted from the number of laps to be completed during the race for fuel reasons. Overtaking is still not allowed during this period. However, if the order of the drivers is altered for any reason, they will be permitted to overtake to regain their position on the grid. If a driver fails to regain their position before the end of the formation laps, they must start from the pit lane.
With regard to the drivers starting from the pits, they will not be forced to participate in the formation laps. Nevertheless, these laps will be important to understand the grip level of the track and its state of dampness. Moreover, even though this would allow teams not to worry about fuel levels during the race, the additional weight compared to their competitors would be a major handicap according to team managers.
The FIA also warned drivers that a tire change at the time of the safety car’s entry would result in a 10-second stop-and-go penalty. A change during formation laps, on the other hand, will require the driver to start from the pit lane.
If track conditions do not improve during the various formation laps, race control may decide to bring all drivers back to the pits to wait for an improvement, which will not count as a race suspension since technically it will not have started. In this specific case, a rolling start will follow as soon as conditions allow.
This new procedure for starting in wet conditions will therefore permanently provide a standing start, which will already be more difficult than before due to regulatory changes.
