Clarification issued over pit stop rule

Fernando Alonso during Free Practice 1 at the Australian Grand Prix (Image: Getty Images)

The FIA, the F1’s governing body, has issued an explanation of the rules around serving a penalty during a race after the podium drama that occurred during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.  

Fernando Alonso managed to secure third place on the podium at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix but was removed after the race concluded because of serving a five-second penalty incorrectly, only to regain it after a Right of Review was carried out. 

After the race concluded, the stewards began investigating Aston Martin as they were suspected of not serving the penalty correctly, with the rear jack mechanic determined to have touched Alonso’s car before the time was up resulting in another 10-second penalty being given to Alonso. 

After the race weekend, the Sports Advisory Committee held a meeting and confirmed that a clarification of the rules surrounding penalties would be announced before the Australian Grand Prix. A Sporting Directive will also be issued to teams in Australia. 

Fernando Alonso and Kevin Magnussen during the race (Image: Getty Images)

The Sporting Regulations state: “whilst a car is stationary in the pit lane as a result of incurring a penalty in accordance with Articles 54.3a) or 54.3b), it may not be worked on until the car has been stationary for the duration of the penalty.”

However, Steve Neilson, the FIA Sporting Director of Single-Seater racing, explained: ”For clarity and until further notice, in this context, the physical touching of the car or driver by hand, tools or equipment (including the front and rear jacks) during any such penalty will all be considered to constitute work.

“The use of cooling fans during a penalty is permitted providing any such fan does not physically touch the car. 

“As is already common practice, multiple penalties incurred under Articles 54.3a and 54.3b prior to a car’s pit stop can be served in series at a single pit stop. For example, a 5 sec+ 10-sec penalty can be served as a single 15-sec penalty, and so on.” 

The FIA has also decided to widen the starting grid boxes by 20cm from this weekend’s event at the Australian Grand Prix while implementing a centre line that will be trialled during Friday practice sessions to help drivers when positioning their cars correctly. This is to help reduce drivers going too far over their designated boxes, and incidents that have occurred during the first two races of the season.