FIA: The winners allowed to celebrate their victory

Unlike most other motorsports, Formula 1 had the peculiarity that it was almost impossible for a Grand Prix winner to celebrate their victory on the cooldown lap, mainly due to regulatory prohibitions that required drivers not to stop and to proceed directly to Parc Fermé. This will change from this season, following a modification of the sporting regulations.

The 2013 season was marked, from this perspective, by Sebastian Vettel’s bold move, as he chose to celebrate his victory in India and his fourth title with a series of donuts on the pit straight at the Buddh Circuit. This celebration was almost unanimously praised by the observers and fans of the sport, but the sporting authorities had no choice but to reprimand him (with a €25,000 fine) in accordance with article 43.3 of the 2013 sporting regulations, which ordered drivers to proceed directly to the pits. However, the four-time world champion’s car remained parked on the track.

During the following Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, Austin, and Interlagos, the German continued to perform donuts without stopping his car on the track, which allowed him—in addition to the leniency of the authorities towards what was considered a way to provide more spectacle and express his joy—to escape sanction.

If, in fact, the celebration of the victory was not prohibited in itself, it remained relatively limited, so that few drivers had the audacity to step out of the protocol like Sebastian Vettel last year or, again, Fernando Alonso, in Valencia, in 2012.

This will change in 2014 as a modification of article 43.3 of the sporting regulations now allows demonstrations of joy following a victory. The newly revised article can be translated as follows: « After receiving the signal for the end of the race, all cars must proceed directly to Parc Fermé without unnecessary delay, without receiving any objects, and without any assistance (except from officials if necessary).

An exception to Article 30.4 [according to which drivers cannot stop on track unless justified, ed.] and to this article will be made for the winning driver who may perform a celebration act before reaching Parc Fermé, as long as this act:

a) Is carried out in a secure way and does not endanger other drivers or any officials.

b) Does not question the legality of his car.

c) Do not delay the podium ceremony.

Any classified car that cannot reach Parc Fermé under its own power will be placed under the exclusive control of the marshals who will return the car to Parc Fermé. »

Thus, Grand Prix winners will be able, under the indicated conditions, to perform donuts, interact with the public, grab a flag, etc., without risking sanctions from the authorities. This development once again demonstrates the governing bodies’ stated intention to promote the spectacle.