Formula 1: Starting from this weekend’s 2023 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, a long-standing tradition is coming to an end. Team staff will no longer be able to wave their successful cars home at the end of races. As per reports, FIA has introduced strict policies banning the move. Follow F1 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
In the previous race at Jeddah, team members from Red Bull and Aston Martin climbed the lattice metal fencing to congratulate their drivers’ podium finishes. But the same move has forced the FIA to change the rule.
⚠️ | 🇦🇺 F1 teams now risk a penalty if any of their personnel climb the pitwall fence, following the latest FIA rules clampdown.
This rule will come into focus from this weekend’s 2023 Australian GP. pic.twitter.com/450GDrB1bv
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) March 30, 2023
During the season opener in Bahrain, team members were observed climbing up the pitwall debris fence and leaning over the track, a common occurrence in modern-day F1.
According to F1 race director Niels Wittich’s pre-weekend event safety notes, released in Melbourne, the new enforcement measure includes a rule stating that climbing on the pitwall debris fence is forbidden at all times.
This rule is covered under Appendix H, Article 2.3.2 of the FIA’s International Sporting Code, which is enforced across all motorsport categories sanctioned by the governing body.
Additionally, the rule specifies that team personnel are only permitted in the pit lane when required to work on a car, and must leave immediately upon completing their task.
Furthermore, “It is forbidden for personnel to climb on pitwall debris fences at any time. Any action by a team breaching this ban will be reported to the stewards.”
The recent development for F1 teams does not involve the introduction of a new rule but rather a stricter interpretation of Appendix H, Article 2.3.2. Any team personnel found violating these regulations will be reported to the stewards, who will assess if a penalty is necessary.
While it is highly unlikely that any penalty resulting from the enforcement of this rule would affect a driver’s race result, teams will still face challenging new consequences, such as fines, within F1’s current cost cap era.
It is worth noting that at the Melbourne race, it is impossible for team members to find themselves in the same hazardous situation that was observed in Jeddah.
The FIA has recently reminded teams that climbing debris fences is prohibited, although it has been permitted for several years as Appendix H, Article 2.3.2 has not been used to impose penalties so explicitly.
The governing body is now emphasizing the serious consequences that could arise from a person falling onto the track where cars are racing at high speeds, often near the pitwall during post-race celebrations. To further mitigate any potential hazards, the FIA has taken steps to prevent anyone from climbing high on pitwall debris fencing and potentially dropping objects onto the track, endangering the drivers.
