Controversy over the “turtle” Safety Car in F1: the drivers' complaints and the FIA statement that ended the unusual discussion

Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen criticized the speed of the car that led the neutralizations in Australia. The strong response of the governing body

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Formula One F1 - Australian
Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - April 10, 2022 The safety car is seen after Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr. ran off the circuit REUTERS/Martin Keep

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) ended a controversy that began after the Australian Grand Prix last Sunday, when some drivers criticized the speed of the Safety Car (AS). This Thursday, the entity that governs motorsport worldwide made its position clear with a sentence: “The role of the AS is the safety of the drivers”.

AS Aston Martin Vantage, driven on the Albert Park street circuit in Melbourne by Bernd Maylander, former DTM driver, was under the spotlight as he had to enter the track twice during Sunday's 58-lap race. First because of a mistake by Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and then by a blow by Sebastian Vettel (Aston Martin) against the defenses.

Since most drivers were on the hard tyre at the time, they had trouble warming up their tires behind the Vantage, which is slower than the Mercedes (the other AS that F1 has) with which it shares the tasks of the safety car. Aston Martin and Mercedes began sharing the supply of official cars last year, for which Aston provides a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that produces 528 hp.

One of them criticized the speed of the AS is the world champion, Max Verstappen (Red Bull): “There is very little grip and the safety car was driving so slow that it was like a turtle. Incredible,” said the Dutchman. “I don't understand why we have to drive so slowly,” he shot.

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“I'm sure Mercedes's car is faster because of the additional aerodynamics, because this Aston Martin is really slow. I needed more grip, because our tyres were cold as a stone,” said the 24-year-old. “It's pretty terrible the way we're driving behind the AS right now,” he added.

While the winner in Australia and current championship leader, Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), also criticized the speed of the AS. “To be honest, it always feels too slow in the car because with these F1 cars we have a lot of grip and it's very, very difficult, especially in the compound we were all with, which was the tough one,” he said at the press conference after the race.

“It was very difficult for me to heat them, so it also cost me. To be honest, I wanted to complain, but then I saw how much the safety car was sliding around the corner and I don't think there was anything else I could give, so I didn't want to push too hard,” added the Monegasque.

Faced with this situation, the FIA published a statement on its social networks, emphasizing that the priority of the safety car is not how fast it goes, but the ability to help keep the race going safely. In addition, that the maximum speed of the vehicle was not defined by its technical aspects, but by what the race needs.

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According to Motorsport, one of the sports commissioners in Melbourne stated: “It is clear that the speed and braking capabilities of F1 cars, especially when trying to maintain the required temperatures in tires and brakes, are in tension with the separation behind the Safety Car.”

“This should be a point of emphasis in future briefings for pilots, to ensure that pilots collectively agree on how best to address this challenge before an unfortunate incident occurs,” the authority added.

The Safety Car began to be used in F1 in 1993, taking a model promoted in American motorsport, which always had rough races on ovals with its IndyCar and NASCAR races, to recall the cars crashed after an incident. To do this, competition is neutralized and drivers must slow down and place themselves behind the AS.

FIA statement

“Following recent comments on the pace of the Safety Car, the FIA would like to reiterate that the main function of the car is, of course, not absolute speed, but the safety of the drivers and other members.”

“Safety car procedures take into account multiple objectives, depending on the incident in question, thus adjusting its pace depending on the activities that may be ongoing on the track.”

“Therefore, the speed of the Safety Car is not limited by the capabilities of safety cars, which are tailor-made high-performance vehicles, prepared by two of the world's leading manufacturers and equipped to cope with the conditions of the track at all times, driven by a driver and a co-driver enormously experienced and capable”.

“The impact of safety car speed on car performance is a secondary consideration, as the impact is equal among all drivers who, as is always the case, are responsible for driving safely at all times according to their car and track conditions.”

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