Haas team boss Günther Steiner has suggested that F1 should consider a red flag rule in IndyCar style during qualifying, called a “discussion that doesn’t have to start”.
Charles Leclerc controversially clinched pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix after setting the fastest time on his first run before crashing and waving the red flags on his second.
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Although the damage ultimately resulted in the Monegasque driver not being able to start the race, the incident led F1 to adopt an IndyCar rule that would erase a driver’s fastest time if it is the cause of a red flag is.
“I wouldn’t be a big fan of it if it were implemented,” says Steiner.
“It’s obviously because Charles Leclerc hit the wall pretty hard on his last run in qualifying, but obviously it wasn’t intended. If it had been, the FIA would have seen it, it’s very easy, seeing this in the data when someone has done something on purpose.
“I don’t think it’s necessary to start this discussion. What if instead of a red flag there was only a yellow flag and some people slowed down and others didn’t – let’s cancel the round of the guy who got the yellow one anyway brought out? ”
Despite Steiner’s rejection of the topic, it will certainly appear in the drivers’ meeting, because the Baku City Circuit also has some alarming tricks.
Deliberate interruptions should result in a penalty
FIA Race Director Michael Masi himself confirmed after the Monaco Grand Prix that the Leclerc incident had been investigated for foul play, but both Ferrari and its driver were acquitted of any wrongdoing.
However, there is a precedent for imposing penalties for abandoning qualifying as Michael Schumacher is known to have been sent to the last field after parking his Ferrari at Rascasse when visiting Monaco in Formula 1 in 2006.
“I think if someone does something on purpose, it should have consequences, but that was not the case in Monaco,” Steiner continued.
He added: “It has worked for so long and it happened once, especially in Monaco where it is very easy to fall by the way. I don’t think we need to fix it right now.
“However, it is part of the risk you take if you are late in qualifying. If people had been eliminated earlier, it might not have happened.”
The post Why is a “Red Flag Rule” in the IndyCar style not needed in F1? first appeared on monter-une-startup.
