The FIA clarifies defense rules
Following several aggressive overtakes at the start of the season, notably in Bahrain with Nico Rosberg, the FIA has decided to clarify the rules related to defending one's position.
In Bahrain, Nico Rosberg was involved in two incidents investigated by the stewards following overtaking attempts by Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton on his Mercedes. The German driver was not penalized because his rivals’ cars were not alongside his Mercedes when he changed his line to defend his position.
The FIA has decided to clarify what drivers are allowed to do when defending their position. Charlie Whiting, the FIA race director, reportedly sent a note to the teams stating that drivers can use the full width of the track provided no part of their rival’s car is alongside their own.
« Any driver defending their position on a straight and before a braking zone may use the full width of the track during their first movement, provided no significant portion of the car attempting to overtake is alongside. With such a defense, the driver cannot leave the track without a justifiable reason, » the note specifies.
To avoid interpretations of what constitutes a significant part of a single-seater, the note specifies that to avoid any doubt, if any part of the front wing of the car attempting to overtake is alongside the rear wheel of the car in front, then it will be considered a ‘significant part’.
