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Sainz calls for safety car restart changes

Published on 26 Jun 2017 16:34
6
By: Fergal Walsh

Carlos Sainz has called upon the FIA to look into changing the regulations surrounding the race restart after a safety car period in Baku. The Spaniard labelled yesterday's incidents as dangerous, with many drivers bunching up and tangling.

The biggest talking point was between Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel. As they prepared to go racing again after the second safety car period, Hamilton swung around Turn 15 and slowed down, causing Vettel to hit into the rear of the Mercedes.

Sainz believes that the lead car should be forced to pick up the pace after Turn 16, as to not avoid confusion and carnage further back. Under the current regulations, the lead driver can choose when to start pushing anytime before the first safety car line.

"It was probably the most dangerous part of the race when we restart," Sainz explained. "The leaders were waiting up until the safety car line to start and at the same time, they were going fast and slow. For the guys at the back we are still in the corners when they going fast, slow, there's walls and we cannot see through them. So suddenly we are going flat-out sixth, seventh gear and they were braking again. For me, a bit on the dangerous side."

"Probably for next year they should consider when the leader is obliged to push. I think they should just put a rule where the leader starts before Turn 16 and to be flat from 16 because you cannot be slow, slow braking, fast, slow braking all of the time in such a long straight with people actually thinking they are going. Suddenly you are upshifting and upshifting, and braking again. It was probably the most dangerous part of the race."

Fergal Walsh

F1 News Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel Mercedes

Replies (6)

F1racefan97

Posts: 113
I agree with Carlos, the restarts seemed to be a mess in baku
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- Jun 26 2017 - 17:06
f1fan0101

Posts: 1,804
But these are the ultimate racers! We cant have it simplified
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- Jun 26 2017 - 17:21
- f1ski
  
  Posts: 726
  why not after the safety car comes in complete a lap under vsc with a 2 car gap between. Isn't the idea of a safety car to allow safe racing conditions not to encourage unsafe conditions.
  + 0
  
  Jun 26 2017 - 22:08
- f1fan0101
  
  Posts: 1,804
  The drivers are more than capable of not getting into unsafe conditions
  + 0
  
  Jun 27 2017 - 00:20
ianf1

Posts: 185
What about: Safety car in -> Drive under VSC for 1 lap -> full racing?

The bottom line yesterday was everyone trying to get the jump on the guy in front, and if that guy in front was a few seconds down the road when the SC started they wouldn't want to let that happen. I personally don't like to see any advantage gained at the restarts in these situations. Safety cars are there for safety imho, not to take someone's advantage away.
- + 0
- Jun 26 2017 - 17:53
boudy

Posts: 1,168
I disagree with Sainz on this. Since this is part of F1 they must be able to handle this situation. I agree that F1 safety is important but this issue points more to the fact that he himself is not able to handle curtain scenario's. I find the restarts exciting and gives drivers in lesser cars more oppertunity.
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- Jun 27 2017 - 10:30