“From 2011, any driver whose best qualifying lap exceeds 107 percent of the fastest Q1 qualifying time will not be allowed to take part in the race,” said the FIA in its latest statement yesterday.
“Under exceptional circumstances, however, which may include setting a suitable lap time in a free practice session, the stewards may permit the car to start the race. Should there be more than one driver accepted in this manner, the grid order will be determined by the stewards,” further added the ruling body.
That move was taken by the FIA in light of the situation in the ongoing season of Formula One, when the three new teams in the series were constantly scoring lap times some 5-6 seconds poorer than the pace setter. That led to traffic issues within the races on Sunday, while also in the qualifying sessions of street races such as the Monaco Grand Prix.
Speaking of traffic, the FIA also brought some further amendments regarding the slow cars in qualifying.
“With immediate effect, any car being driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically, or which is deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers, will be reported to the stewards. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry or the pit lane.”
“In order to ensure cars are not driven unnecessarily slowly on in-laps during qualifying or reconnaissance laps when the pit exit is opened for the race, drivers must stay below the maximum time set by the FIA between the safety car line after the pit exit and safety car line before the pit entry.”
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