Sport

Wolff calls for clarity on red flags after chaos in Australia

Several drivers criticised officials after race was stopped three times

Max Verstappen looks on from the pitlane during a red-flag delay during the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Max Verstappen looks on from the pitlane during a red-flag delay during the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. Photograph: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Giles Richards
Mon Apr 03 2023 - 17:12

The Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, has called for clarity from Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, to eliminate the chaos and confusion that marred the Australian Grand Prix. A number of drivers were highly critical of decisions made during the race, which was stopped three times, and Wolff believes clear definitions of protocols for red flags are required.

Max Verstappen won in Melbourne, but only after the race came to an end behind the safety car. There were three red-flag stoppages due to incidents on track in a race that ran for two and a half hours. The second stoppage was followed by a standing restart when there were incidents involving six cars and the race was immediately halted again.

Verstappen declared the situation a “mess” of the FIA’s own making and noted he could not understand why a safety car or a virtual safety car (VSC) had been used instead of a red flag. Similarly, George Russell called the red flags unnecessary and McLaren’s Lando Norris implied the FIA were making decisions in an attempt to improve the show.

Mercedes’s Russell was unlucky with the first stoppage, having pitted just before it occurred, costing him track position. However, his team-mate, Lewis Hamilton, finished second behind Verstappen, Mercedes’s best result this season, and was not disadvantaged by the red flags.

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Nonetheless, Wolff said that in each case it was not clear why the race had been stopped and echoed Russell’s opinion that alternatives were available. “Both red flags we didn’t see coming,” he said. “Restarts are a great entertainment factor, but we need to understand going forward when a red flag is being put out and when it is a safety car or a VSC. For those incidents you could have applied either.

“Formula One is so successful because it is sport and we follow the rule book and that gives great entertainment, as long as it is clear how it is being interpreted. Whether you call a VSC or a safety car or you red-flag it, as long as we understand in terms of us being able to plan and in having the same rules for everyone, then that is OK.”

The FIA assess each situation during a race and act accordingly, with safety as the paramount decisive factor. However, since the Abu Dhabi controversy of 2021 the use of red flags has increased, which has also raised questions around the rules regarding the race being stopped. When cars return to the pit lane they are allowed to be worked on and change tyres, which can confer an advantage seen as undeserved. The drivers intend to raise the issue with the FIA at the next round at the end of April in Baku.

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“We just need to define what it is,” said Wolff. “Restarts are mega, but when they come as a surprise and you can’t really understand, then maybe not so much. I am generally in favour of making great entertainment, but the rule book of the sport is the key DNA so let us define together what is a safety car, what is a VSC and what is a red flag.”

A British Formula One fan required medical attention after he was struck by flying debris in the chaotic ending. Will Sweet, 31, said he was fortunate to avoid a “horrendous” injury and called on the FIA to make sure it does not happen again.

Sweet, who lives in Australia, was standing at the second corner of Melbourne’s temporary Albert Park street circuit when Kevin Magnussen crashed into the wall on lap 54 of 58.

Magnussen’s right-rear tyre flew off his Haas and bounced along the racetrack, while a large piece of wheel rim from the Dane’s car launched 20 metres into the air, over the catch-fencing, before lacerating Sweet’s right arm.

“I was looking at my arm, not really sure what was going on and didn’t realise I had been hit by a piece of debris. People behind me were scrambling around, fighting over who gets this piece of wheel and I’m like ‘what’s that?’ We pieced it together and I realised, ‘holy s***, that’s just hit me in the arm’.”

Meanwhile, F1 and the teams also came to a provisional agreement in Melbourne to change the format for the six sprint races this season, with the first to be held at the next round in Azerbaijan.

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The team principals met with F1 at Albert Park on Sunday and agreed on the new format that will consist of one practice session, followed by qualifying on Friday to set the grid for Sunday’s GP. Then a second qualifying session on Saturday, run in the same three-section knockout system, but with a shorter time for running in each of Q1, Q2 and Q3. This will set the grid for Saturday’s sprint race, which will be a stand-alone event with points awarded.

The decision must be ratified by the F1 Commission, the World Motorsport Council and be approved by the FIA president, Mohammed ben Sulayem. – Guardian