In some maneuvers at the Silverstone Formula 1 GP, one was surprised that there was no penalty. The explanation lies in the code of conduct that the FIA and drivers have agreed on.
The Formula 1 fans at Silverstone were thrilled with the battles for positions in the front seats, but they were not without controversy either. Many observers were puzzled by some rather aggressive attacking and defensive maneuvers – especially when drivers seemed to be pushed off the track.
There were several examples of this throughout the race. Mick Schumacher (Haas) was pushed aside by Max Verstappen (Red Bull) at the exit of Brooklands when the German tried to overtake the world champion on the outside towards the end of the race.
Nearly identical conditions prevailed on the official restart lap when Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) tried to overtake Verstappen but ran out of space.
A few laps before the Verstappen/Schumacher incident, it was Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) who went off the track as his Red Bull rival Sergio Perez went to the inside at Village and on the exit of the corner fighting for second place claimed the entire width of the route.
At the same corner, but on the first lap from the original start, just short of the red flag, Hamilton had done the same to Leclerc, forcing the Ferrari driver to over the curbs to avoid a collision.
All of these incidents gave rise to discussion and, with the exception of the incident between Hamilton and Leclerc, were noted and considered by the stewards before deciding that no further action was necessary.
FIA guidelines specify what is allowed and when
The leniency has garnered a lot of attention, especially as there has long been a consensus on giving your competitors enough space in battles.
The International Sports Code of the FIA itself states: “Manoeuvres likely to impede other drivers, such as intentionally pushing a vehicle over the edge of the track or other abnormal changes in direction, are strictly prohibited.”
“Jostling or other contact that results in a sustained advantage is strictly prohibited. Any driver guilty of any of the above offenses will be reported to the stewards.” However, the Sporting Code alone has never been enough to cover all circumstances in Formula 1.
At the beginning of this year, Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich once again made it clear to the teams and drivers what is allowed and what is not. A document entitled “Driving Standards Guidelines” clearly defines the key factor in assessing who owns the curve.
While these definitions are not binding, the race stewards will take them into account when deciding on any penalties. The sticking point in the Silverstone incidents is the question at what point the overtaking car has earned the right onto the track and can no longer be pushed aside.
While it has long been said that this requires a “significant part” of one’s own car alongside that of the opponent, in reality things are much more specifically defined.
“Significant part” is not sufficient when in doubt
The situations between Schumacher/Verstappen, Leclerc/Hamilton and Leclerc/Verstappen, in which a driver overtakes around the outside, essentially require the attacker to be in front of his rival after the apex of the corner.
The document states: “When considering what constitutes a ‘significant portion’ of an overtaking maneuver on the outside of a corner, stewards will, among the various factors they consider, consider whether the overtaking car from the apex ahead of the other car around the corner.”
And further: “The overtaken vehicle must be able to drive through the curve while remaining within the track boundary.” In all three cases mentioned, the attacking rider on the outside may have been a good distance from the other, but at no point was he ahead.
And as long as the defending driver stays within the barriers exiting the corner, which was the case in all cases, that’s perfectly within the rules. The requirements are somewhat different when it comes to the moment between Perez and Hamilton.
Here, the Red Bull pushed off the Mercedes in an attack on the inside. In this case, the “significant proportion” is interpreted as follows: “When the front tires of the overtaking car are next to the other car at the apex of the curve at the latest.”
And that was exactly what Perez did with his late braking maneuver when both were at the apex. So as long as the movement is performed in a “safe and controlled manner” and Perez stays within the track limit at all times, the track from the apex is his.
It seems that these rules encourage drivers to be a little more reckless exiting corners than in the past, but for now that is the route that both the FIA and drivers accept. As Verstappen said of the fight with Schumacher: “It was good: a tough but fair fight.”