Formula 1 drivers and teams are subject to a brand new cycling ban, which means they cannot perform Thursday reconnaissance on two wheels.
Track reconnaissance is often part of the usual routine for Formula 1 drivers before each Grand Prix. They consist of a rather relaxed ride, often accompanied by members of the team, to allow you to (re)familiarize yourself with the route and possibly analyze some areas. This track reconnaissance is integrated into the official weekend program on Thursdays, although the circuit may be open at other times.
While some pilots do this reconnaissance on foot, others prefer to do it by bike. But this is now prohibited. With the advent of electric bikes and scooters, and as the circuit is sometimes overwhelmed with people, especially when F2 and F3 drivers are also present, track activity can sometimes be high and the authorities have decided to act to avoid any problem.
During the Bahrain Grand Prix, a letter was sent to the teams by the FOM (which, as organizer, is responsible for the track between the official sessions) which states: “To clarify and avoid any misunderstandings, the use of any means of transport (bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, e-scooters, etc.) is prohibited during the time window indicated as ‘Teams Track Recce’ on the program of the event. No exceptions will be allowed. This decision has been taken in agreement with the FIA.”
Lando Norris on a bicycle but without Paulette.
When Motorsport.com questioned Charles Leclerc to find out if he had been able to see changes made to the Jeddah circuitthe Monegasque was unhappy with this new rule: “I didn’t do the reconnaissance of the track. And since I believe they just enacted a new rule against cycling around the track, you probably won’t see me doing the reconnaissance anymore, and I’m I’ll just watch the videos!”
It must be said that in addition to this new policy, the track time was shortened in Jeddah by the closure of the circuit for a filming of the singer will.i.am, which forced the teams to organize themselves differently, in particular by doing their reconnaissance earlier and sometimes without being able to do it with the pilot. “I wanted to do it right now, but they closed the track, and everything is going wrong!”has explained Nico Hülkenberg. “I’ll look at the safety car, and I’ll see tomorrow.”