Formula 1 has made a minor revision to its Safety Car rules for the 2022 season following the controversial restart which marred last year’s season finale.
The alteration addresses how races are restarted when lapped cars have been waved past the Safety Car, which was a focus of the disputed conclusion to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Previously, when drivers were being allowed to rejoin the lead lap at the end of a Safety Car period, the rules stated the Safety Car would return to the pits “once the last lapped car has passed the leader”.
In the amended rules for 2022, the Safety Car can now return to the pits “once the message ‘lapped cars may now overtake’ has been sent to all competitors using the official messaging system”, according to updated regulations published today.
The change should allow Safety Car periods to conclude more swiftly after drivers have rejoined the lead lap.
This was central to the disputed end to last year’s season finale, as former FIA F1 race…