Sports such as ball games have relatively straightforward rules which change little from year to year. Formula 1’s sporting regulations are complex and ever-changing by comparison.
Despite or perhaps because of this consistent tweaking, even during a season in some cases, problems remain. Grey areas need to be clarified, loopholes are exploited and bagging problem go unsolved due to fears any solution might bring unintended consequences.
The FIA’s enforcement of its F1 rules came under fierce scrutiny following the controversial conclusion to the 2021 season. The sport’s governing body implemented a new structure for its F1 operation which was intended to improve how it creates and enforces its rules.
However staff changes at the end of last season meant there are new faces in key positions. The FIA’s single seater sporting director, Steve Nielsen, left at the end of last year. Tim Malyon has taken the position for 2024.
The 2023 season saw a spate of problems which may recur this year if they aren’t addressed. With the days ticking down until the new season begins, these are the key areas Malyon and those supporting him need to address.
Lenient penalties
When Sergio Perez was fighting up the field late in last year’s Singapore Grand Prix, he attempted an ill-judged move on tenth-placed Alexander Albon into the tight left hander of turn 13 and barged the Williams driver out of the way. While Perez gained the position, Albon fell from a potential point down to 14th place.
After a post-race investigation, the stewards handed the Red Bull driver a five-second post-race time penalty, which made no difference to his race finishing position. Although his move had been illegal and resulted in a collision and a penalty, Perez had likely gained more than if he had stayed within the rules behind Albon and lost more than five seconds in traffic.
A similar incident occurred in the sprint race at Circuit of the Americas the following month, when Mercedes driver George Russell overtook Oscar Piastri at turn 15 by driving around the outside of the McLaren off the track. Russell did not yield back the position and was hit with a five second time penalty applied after the race, but he only dropped one position from seventh to eighth, holding onto the final point as a result – ultimately finishing eight seconds and ahead of Piastri.
These two incidents indicate a problem with the rules where the punishment for causing…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at RaceFans…