Drivers criticise safety car start

  • Published on 11 Jul 2016 10:38
  • comments 4
  • By: Dominik Wilde

The start of Sunday's British Grand Prix has been criticised by drivers, who believe the safety car stayed out longer than necessary.

After a sudden downpour minutes before the start of the race, the decision was made to abandon the traditional start, with the field instead following the safety car for the first five laps of the race.

Max Verstappen, who finished the race third on the road but was later promoted to second said that he was  "ready to race after maybe two laps."

Race winner Lewis Hamilton agreed, saying that the safety car stayed out too long, and even suggested that the race could have started as normal on the grid.

"For sure there were patches (of water) all over the place and it would have been tricky -- but that's what motor racing's about," he said. "For sure we did stay out (behind the safety car) for far too long."

Despite the criticisms, there were some people in the paddock who believed the safety car start was the right call, including Hamilton's team mate Nico Rosberg.

"Yes, for sure," he said. "There were some big, big rivers in places so it's important to let us have a look at least where they are before getting going."

Red Bull boss Christian Horner echoed Rosberg's sentiments, but also said that the safety car stayed out for too long.

"The decision to start behind the safety car was fully justified because of the standing water," he said. "But in my view, the safety car stayed on the track for too long."

Toro Ross driver Carlos Sainz shared a similar viewpoint: "The safety car was necessary at the start because we could see nothing, but after the first two laps, once we saw the condition of the track, it was no longer necessary."

GB Silverstone - 10 July 2016

ianf1

Posts: 185

At least the rolling start meant LH couldn't fluff it...

  • 1
  • Jul 11 2016 - 11:36

Give your opinion!

Was a safety car start for the British GP the right decision?

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • ianf1

    Posts: 185

    At least the rolling start meant LH couldn't fluff it...

    • + 1
    • Jul 11 2016 - 11:36
    • Probably the reason why Charlie decided to use it

      • + 0
      • Jul 11 2016 - 14:29
  • nicovanos

    Posts: 61

    No wonder. Rosberg would like to wait until the track is completely dry.

    • + 0
    • Jul 11 2016 - 13:33
  • It was the best way to start, the track was as wet as the Themsen.

    • + 0
    • Jul 12 2016 - 18:06

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Red Bull Racing
  • Points 2,980
  • Podiums 111
  • Grand Prix 206
  • Country NL
  • Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (27)
  • Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
  • Weight 70 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile
show sidebar