JAPAN: Red Bull Racing took a bold step by re-entering Sergio Perez’s “retired” car onto the track during the recently concluded Japanese Grand Prix, ultimately avoiding a grid penalty for the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix.
The move sparked speculation about potential regulation changes, but the FIA has clarified that there are no plans to close the loophole that allowed Red Bull to execute this strategy.
Perez had incurred a five-second time penalty for a collision with Haas’ Kevin Magnussen, leaving him with the decision of whether to serve the penalty or retire from the race.
Opting for the latter, Red Bull sought consultation with the FIA, confirming that sending Perez back out for a single lap to serve the penalty before retiring again was within the rulebook.
The decision proved effective, with Perez returning to the garage after completing the solitary lap on the track, thus evading a grid penalty for the Qatar Grand Prix. This raised questions about the potential modification of the regulations to prevent similar manoeuvres in the future.
Ted Kravitz, a Formula 1 presenter, suggested that the FIA might move swiftly to address this perceived “loophole,” stating, “They’re not going to let Red Bull get away with gaming the rules.”
However, it has been clarified that Kravitz’s interpretation is inaccurate, as the existing regulations allow a car to re-enter the race, provided it meets safety and technical standards.
Any alteration to address this scenario would require a formal process involving a vote by the F1 Commission followed by ratification of the Regulations. As Perez’s car only required minimal repairs, Red Bull’s manoeuvre fell well within the bounds of the current regulations.
In light of this, the FIA has affirmed that no changes will be made to the existing rules, solidifying Red Bull’s tactical move as a legal and strategic decision within the sport.
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