F1 drivers urge FIA to introduce new restart system after red flags as George Russell leads calls for change
F1 drivers have called on the FIA to change the restart system after red flags.
It comes after the huge pile up at the Australian Grand Prix last month following a red flag.
There are ongoing safety concerns surrounding how races are restarted, with claims the marbles on the track creates an unfair disparity between drivers.
Those marbles were not swept off the track in Melbourne but the FIA has assured they will be in future.
The FIA also confirmed the safety car will set off earlier to give drivers more time to warm up their tyres ahead of the grid restart.
The 30-second gap between the safety car and drivers at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be increased to 60 seconds in Miami.
The F1 Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director George Russell was asked about the safety issues and he revealed the drivers are against a standing start after red flags.
Russell told Motorsport.com: “I think we’ve all come to a good understanding.
“I think having a restart at the end of the race is challenging because there’s a lot of marbles off-line.
“It gives quite an unfair chance for the guys on the inside on the dirty line, and the opportunity for more chaos and unfairness.
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“So let’s see where we move to.
“But I think all 20 drivers wouldn’t like standing starts after a red flag with either 50 or 75 per cent of the race completed.”