Todt Considers the 107 Percent Rule From 2011

The new FIA president, Jean Todt has revealed Friday after Formula One’s Bahrain practice that he favors the reintroduction of the 107 percent rule. After the closing moments of the first official practice sessions of the 2010 F1 championship it was clear for everyone that this year’s newcomers, in terms of both drivers and teams, will struggle to keep the pace with the more experienced runners.

The 107 percent rule in motorsports states that a driver cannot take part in a race (except under extraordinary conditions) if he or she isn’t able to secure a fastest lap within the 107 percent range of the pole position time.

"We are very in favor of reintroducing the 107 percent limit," Todt told a news conference in Bahrain. "The reason why it was abandoned was because of the change in qualifying which was happening with fuel to start the race in the car.”

"Now to change that for 2010 you need to have the unanimous agreement of the teams, and to get the unanimous agreement of the teams the FIA will be supporting this solution. I don't think it will happen so we have to wait until 2011 to introduce it," continued the Frenchman.

Although HRT’s Bruno Senna was outside the 107 percent rule on Friday, finishing some 11 seconds behind the pole position time, Todt emphasized he respects the new teams’ effort to enter the championship especially in these dire economic times and that it is normal to give them time to become competitive.

"You must have respect for a new team who is arriving in this particular economic crisis period and to invest money to be in F1," added Todt. "I don't think it is a time to criticize but to support and help, and to help them, and it is in the interests of everybody. Everybody in the business should be supportive of these days. I was impressed today, they did quite well and we must give them a certain time to be ready."