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F1 clarifies safety car rules after Abu Dhabi controversies

F1 clarifies safety car rules after Abu Dhabi controversies

Previously the rule read any car can be waved past the leader under safety car conditions during a race.

The original wording became a major talking point after the 2021 season finale when race director Michael Masi chose to only allow those cars between leader Lewis Hamiton and second-placed Max Verstappen to be waved by.

Cars behind Verstappen were told to stay put, including those that were between the Dutchman and third placed Carlos Sainz.

At the restart with one lap to go Verstappen took advantage of his new tyres to pass Hamilton and claim both the race victory and the world championship.

In the debate that followed, there was a discussion about the potentially ambiguous meaning of the word any.

In order to ensure that there won’t be a repeat, and after a discussion with the teams, the FIA has amended the relevant rule, which now specifies that all lapped cars must be waved past the leader if it is considered safe to do so.

Article 55.13 now reads: “If the clerk of the…

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