The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has adjusted the rules concerning jump starts just before the Miami Grand Prix which is set to take place this weekend on 3-5 May.
In anticipation of the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, the FIA has introduced a set of revised regulations targeting the clarity and enforcement of jump starts in Formula 1 races, as reported by Autosport.
The crux of the regulatory reform lies in the modification of what constitutes a "false start" in F1. Previously, the determination of a jump start was solely reliant on sensors provided by the FIA. However, several instances have highlighted the limitations of this technology. Notably, during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, McLaren driver Lando Norris's minor movement at the start line went undetected by the sensors, thereby avoiding a penalty which stirred debates on the consistency and reliability of the sensor technology. Similar incidents involving Valtteri Bottas at the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix and Sebastian Vettel during the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix further fueled discussions for a regulatory review.
Responding to these issues, the revised Article 48.1a of the Sporting Regulations now defines a false start more clearly. According to the new rule, a false start will be called if any car moves in the time window between the illumination of the four-second light and the extinguishing of all red lights at the start. This change aims to eliminate the grey areas previously exploited due to sensor limitations.
Moreover, the F1 Commission's meeting didn't just stop at the jump start regulations. In a parallel move, adjustments were also made to the regulations concerning the use of intermediate tyres. Historically, teams were provided with an extra set of intermediate tyres for wet weather conditions, a stipulation that was later removed, causing teams to hold back from using their limited sets during wet practice sessions. Under the new regulatory framework (Article 30.5 g), teams are now mandated to return one set of the five allocated intermediate tyres two hours after the final practice if a practice session was declared wet. This adjustment encourages teams to utilize their intermediate tyres more freely during practice sessions, meaning fans shouldn't be left watching cars in the pits rather than on the track as seen in Japan.
Uncommon Knowledge
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