The regulations now specify that “all” lapped cars must pass the leader if it is considered safe to do so. Previously, the rule said “any” car.
The original wording gave much to talk about after the end of the 2021 season, when FIA race director Michael Masi opted to allow only cars between leader Lewis Hamilton and second-placed Max Verstappen to pass.
The cars behind the Dutchman had to stay in place, including those between Red Bull and third-placed Carlos Sainz.
At the restart, with one lap to go, Verstappen took advantage of his new tires to overtake Hamilton, take victory and become world champion.
In the subsequent debate, the ambiguous meaning of the word “any” was discussed.
To ensure that it is not repeated and after a meeting with the teams, the FIA has modified the corresponding rule.
Article 55.13 already says: “If the track secretary considers it safe to do so, and the message ‘LAPPED CARS MAY PASS NOW’ has been sent to all teams using the official messaging system, all cars that have been lapped For the leader they must pass the leading lap cars and the safety car.”
The change appears in edition 5 of the FIA Sporting Regulations for F1 for 2022, which was published today after weeks of tinkering with the final details.
Among other changes released just days before the first race of the season, drivers now have to stay in their overalls for post-race celebrations.
The rule states: “During the podium ceremony and post-race interview procedure, drivers who finish the race in 1st, 2nd and 3rd position must remain dressed only in their neck-length suits, not open to the waist. “.
In addition, “during the television interviews and the FIA post-race press conference, all drivers must remain dressed only in the uniform of their respective teams.”
Another new rule says: “Pilots must not interfere with parc fermé protocols in any way.”
At last year’s Brazilian GP, Max Verstappen was fined for touching the rear wing of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes in the parc ferme.
There is also a small change to one of the new points allocation tables for shortened races that have been introduced for this year following last year’s Belgian GP, which did not feature any real laps.
For events that stop between 50 and 75% of the distance, the score for fourth place has changed from nine to 10 points, and for seventh place from five to four points. The full cast is now 19-14-12-10-8-6-4-3-2-1.
Also, for restarts after red flag periods, teams will know at least one minute in advance to know if it is a standing or running start before the signal is given for the cars to leave. the pits. Previously no time was specified.
