A Safety Car procedure that satisfies Sébastien Bourdais
Last year, a new Safety Car procedure had been imagined. Strongly criticized for its length, the ACO made some modifications to shorten it. A decision praised by Sebastien Bourdais.
Three hours of neutralization in 2023. Far too much for many observers. To address this issue, the ACO has revised its plans. With a goal: to reduce the intervention time of the three Porsches located at three points on the track.
From now on, when the race direction allows it, the competitors located behind the safety cars B and C will all join the back of car A, called the Leading Car. Then, all the cars in front of the category leader will have the opportunity to complete a circuit, ensuring safety for everyone, in order to position themselves behind the leader. This is to ensure that the hierarchy is respected.
So far, there is no change compared to last year. Only the last point has been modified. From now on, all cars will remain in their position and will no longer be restarted by category. They will all be mixed.
« I am quite happy to see a new safety car system that allows the race to be restarted rather than truncated and that creates artificial gaps. We have seen several races sabotaged with cars thirty seconds apart and suddenly a safety car in between,” rejoices Sébastien Bourdais.
« I prefer to see that than gaps widening due to lack of success. I prefer to see a more dynamic race where you have a chance to stay in the race rather than find yourself a minute and a half behind your competitor when you were only ten seconds away. Now, as long as you stay on the lap, you stay in the race. »
It remains to be seen if this weekend the three Porsches will be less present during their interventions.
