FIA Announces Procedure Changes After Controversial 2022 Japanese GP – Sport Grill

FIA have announced procedure changes after controversy during 2022 Japanese Grand Prix.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz crashed on the run to Spoon Curve on the opening lap of this month’s Japanese GP, which necessitated the need of a recovery vehicle on track on the second lap unaware that AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly had pitted and was catching up to the back of the pack under a Safety Car.

On exiting the hairpin and entering the run towards Spoon Curve in very low visbility, Gasly unexpectedly came across the recovery vehicle and luckily was able to take evasive action in time to avoid a near-identical repeat of a collison which killed his French compatriot – Julies Bianchi in 2014.

Nevertheless the decision to deploy a recovery vehicle on track at same time as race cars proved controversial amongst everyone in paddock just shortly before a red flag was waved towards end of second lap, which led to the FIA initiating a review into the incident.

Sensitive Matter

Upon completion of the review, FIA found that all ‘race procedures were followed’ despite heavier rain failling at race start but acknowledged that under Safety Car conditions, stewards should of ensured recovery vehicle not be deployed until ‘all cars are aligned behind the Safety Car.’

FIA proceeded to admit that Race Control had failed to ‘immediately’ detect Gasly in the pit lane due to track conditions and overall visibility for drivers, marshals and recovery staff, of which the latter were heavily focused on safely removing Sainz’s Ferrari.

It was also found that Race Control ‘do not necessarily monitor all cars that may pit during Safety Car periods as they are more concerned about any area containing an incident and neutralising the field behind the Safety Car.’

Those conducting the review consequently felt that having recovery vehicles on track at Suzuka in poor ‘weather conditions is a sensitive matter in view of the tragic incidents of the past’ and believed that Race Control should of ‘delayed the deployment of the recovery vehicles on track.’

It was also found that although effort must be made to ensure ‘efficient and safe recovery of cars’, a longer period of recovering cars in wet conditions could result in the race being suspended and that the FIA failed to hold ‘sufficient control’ over cars not behind the Safety Car.

It has therefore been determined that teams must be informed that a recovery vehicle is on track in order to enable them to inform their drivers, especially in difficult racing conditions with poor visibility

FIA Race Control will also be required to develop a monitoring window to view where each car is on track or in pit lane during live Virtual Safety Car (VSC) or Safety Car periods.

Race Control will also need to update their delegation procedures for under VSC or Safety Car periods, so that at least one person monitors cars is following the Safety Car train and which drivers had entered the pits.

A Dynamic VSC will also be implemented in order to change the delta speed required for drivers to follow before and in specific sectors containing an incident, which is designed to aid drivers in knowing when an incident has been declared.

Gasly had only pitted due to collecting a loose advertising banner from Sainz’s incident which had to be manually removed by mechanics, with the review finding that the Circuit Commission is responsible for the fixing of advertising banners in terms of construction and location at each circuit.

The review panel however adjudged that an assessment is required into the current application of advertising banners, in order to avoid future repeats of being torn off and dispersed across the track into the path of incoming cars.

Controversy however didn’t stop because full points were awarded post race which ensured that Max Verstappen was crowned champion for a second consecutive season, despite teams believing half-points would be awarded after 28 of 53 laps were completed.

Upon review, it was found that FIA had applied Article 6.5 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations correctly, due to reaching the three hour time limit, after the race was resumed but admitted that the wording of regulations must be reviewed in order to ensure stronger ‘clarity’ in future.

In terms of race control structure, it was determined that the rotating Race Director role needed to be suspended with immediate effect, with Niels Wittich taking full charge for the final four races of the season ahead of a post-season review moving forward.