Article 41.4: Whilst the race is suspended :
- neither the race nor the timekeeping system will stop, however, in accordance with Article 5.3 the length of the race suspension will be added to the maximum two hour period ;
- cars may be worked on once they have stopped on the grid or entered the pits but any such work must not impede the resumption of the race ;
- only team members and officials will be permitted on the grid.
Article 5.3: The distance of all races, from the start signal referred to in Article 38.9 to the chequered flag, shall be equal to the least number of complete laps which exceed a distance of 305 km (Monaco 260km). However, should two hours elapse before the scheduled race distance is completed, the leader will be shown the chequered flag when he crosses the control line (the Line) at the end of the lap during which the two hour period ended. However, should the race be suspended (see Article 41) the length of the suspension will be added to this period.
The Line is a single line which crosses both the track and the pit lane.
Thanks for this, was wondering about the time limit..
Shame they were allowed to change tyres…….it rather ruined the restarted race.
will they get a green whit checker
Totally agree with Ian Connell. Would have still been an awesome finish had they not been allowed to change tyres. Restarting the race and allowing the changing of tyres almost certainly meant that the order would stay where it was so they could have just called it a day when Petrov had the accident.
Still you can’t really continuously improve the racing for the future via the regs without scenarios like this to learn from. Also you have to admit that before the Petrov accident that was lining up to be one of the best finishes ever with 3 champs duking it out with tyres at different stages of degradation.
So it proves that F1 is making great moves in the right direction to make it more exciting for the fans. It’s been quite a few seasons since this many races so far were this exciting. Which is strange considering Vettel has won all but China. Totally different to when Schumi was winning all the time.
It ought to be mandated the cars left as is, not touched. No new tires, no fixed wings, no repairs of any kind. This rule spoiled a good race.
Yeah, I think we’re all bummed about the finish. I was gunning for Button. Seems everything is coming to Vettel this year. Still, can’t complain about the on-track action.
They should modify the rule(s) to say that dry tyres can only be put on the car in the pit lane. I think that should cover every eventuality.
Pirelli is looking to ban tyre changes during red flags. But I think is a bit of a touchy subject since long safety car periods or red flag during the race, cool down the tyres. With the way these Pirellis have been wearing out, continuing on with the same tyres (cold and worn) after a red flag period might be a safety issue.
Some still contend the that at Monza the long safety car period might have been a contributing factor in Senna’s accident.
As far as the racing on Sunday, I personally think the that the amount of rubber that is being left on the track by the Pirelli’s is the cause of most of the incidents. Driving off the racing line is more dangerous this season. Thus reducing the opportunities to overtake in the later parts of the race.
I agree that with the tire change the race was finished. They should not be allowed to touch the cars at ALL, if cars have a safety issue they have to fix it once the race restarts by entering the pits, otherwise leave the cars as they were.
I agree with the chaps on the tyre changes. Personally, there was no need to restart the race at Monaco if tyres were changed. We saw no difference in the finish.
I wish the SPEED Channel mates had read your blog or the rules as they appeared clueless….
I think we were robbed of a grand finale finish today. The rule which allows teams to change tires and do repairs while awaiting a red-flag restart is totally wrong. Red flagging the race and restarting, should be a stop and start and doing repairs between is giving an unfair pitstop advantage to anyone who needs it without any cost. Today it nullified any strategy and made a restart loosing Button the tire advantage he had worked for and was due.
Some will say that it is necessary to do repairs on the cars in this situation and because there may be a puncture or problem connected with the red flag. There is a very simple solution to this:
When a race is red flagged, teams should not change tires or make repairs or modifications. If they choose to do so, the driver must serve a 10 second stop go penalty at the end of the the next green light racing lap.
I think this rule modification would be great because it would not artificially modify and neutralise the race, and cars wouldn’t be modified but continue as they left off, but in the case where a change is necessary they can do so, but will be penalised in the same way as if they had made a stop and there was no red flag.
I think and hope that a lot of fans were annoyed at the injustice and fakeness of this situation, and enough public reaction will get this changed.
Sure seems like a strange rule that alows work to be done on cars during a red flag period, I’ve never heard of that before! It really stuffed up the race! I hope the powers that be revise that rule. I’m sure the fact that the teams were able to change the tyres, top up the oil and water, maybe discretely add some petrol, adjust the wheel alignment, charge the curse battaries, square up the front wing, give the driver a drink, clean his visor, add air to the pneumatic valve resivoir, raise the ride height ( to pass scruitineering), etc., etc., totally changed what had the makings of a good few final laps into a stuf-up!
Oh well, I can still follow NASCAR and IndyCars, and at least they’ve got their act together!
PK.