FIA Makes Decision After Verstappen Actions vs Ferrari
The FIA has recently announced that they will be making an amendment to the F1 pit exit rules in order to address the confusion amongst drivers regarding crossing exit lines. This decision comes as a result of an incident that occurred during the Monaco Grand Prix last season, which involved Max Verstappen in the Red Bull and Ferrari.
The Belgian-Dutch driver came under protest from Ferrari for driving across the pit exit lane on the exit of Sainte Devote during the race in which he finished in third place on the podium. While Verstappen was ultimately cleared of any infringement, it could have been a very different story had the FIA not modified the regulations for the 2022 season. This change now allows drivers to straddle the exit line, which was not permitted before.
The issue that triggered Ferrari's protest was the outdated regulation used in the race director's briefing notes, which caused confusion amongst the drivers. The regulation was described as "copy and pasted," leading to the situation that prompted Ferrari's protest.
To avoid similar situations in the future, the FIA has revised the regulation to provide greater clarity. The updated regulation specifies that crossing "means that the outside of any tyre should not go beyond the outside, with respect to the pitlane, of the relevant line painted on the track". This clarification ensures that all drivers are aware of the exact rules regarding crossing exit lines and should prevent any confusion arising in the future.
Overall, this decision by the FIA should benefit all drivers and teams, as it provides clear guidance on crossing exit lines, eliminating the need for any protests or confusion.