McLaren Racing’s Zak Brown has backed Carlos Sainz’s call to penalize drivers who ruin other drivers’ laps by causing red flags in Formula 1’s official qualifying session.
Sergio Perez’s accident in Q3 qualifying at the F1 Monaco Grand Prix put the red flag rule back in the spotlight.
Carlos Sainz, who ended the session prematurely after being damaged when he rear-ended Sergio Perez’s car that blocked the track, is eager to penalize the driver who ruined his rival’s final run. said there is.
Zak Brown raised the issue at the F1 Commission’s meeting in Abu Dhabi and agreed it should be discussed by the FIA’s Sporting Advisory Board.
“I think what Carlos said was about the red and yellow flags that effectively prevented the drivers from completing their laps,” said Brown.
“In other motorsport they are penalized and have their fastest lap removed from the session. All drivers tend to do one lap runs, so whether it is intentional or not. , the driver is penalized because he ruined someone else’s lap.”
“I think it’s an easy solution. It can be implemented quickly. Drivers will have to back out, lose laps, have to run again, and chances are lost. Use a different set of tires. I might have to. I think that’s the easiest solution.”
Principals from other teams agree that the subject is worthy of consideration.
“I agree with Zak that this is a good idea,” said Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff.
“If I’m not mistaken, I think the fastest lap is eliminated in Formula E. So it’s something we can implement.”
But Aston Martin F1 team principal Mike Clack suggested a crackdown would be difficult, saying: “I don’t have a black and white opinion on this.”
“I think you need to go to sports advisory on a case-by-case basis and look at the circumstances that have been there in the last 10 years because it’s very easy to convict someone when it’s not good.”
“I think it’s easy to say it should be, but I think it’s hard to say.”
