FIA Thread

[Hoffman900]

For all the armchair race directors, most amateur orgs need volunteers.

[Oleo]

The track was not clear on the end of lap 56, it was only clear on lap 57... go back and watch the marshals were still there when the cars went past then on lap 56. So how can Masi annouce to let go unlapped cars?

False, the last 3 marshalls are in the midst of evacuating the track as the pack arrives, on Gasly's onboard (final car in the pack) the track is indeed clear as he passes, at that point Hamilton has not crossed the finish line.

So, evaluating the track means its not clear... they to evaluate everything before they give it all clear! So on lap 56 as u said there were 3 marshalls on the track when the last car came through the 3rd last corner, which means it was not clear. So what i said is absolutely true, thank you for the confirmation

No, again false. I said the opposite: all marshalls had evacuated the track on Gasly's onboard as he comes out of the 3rd last corner and passes the crashsite, so the track is clear. The 3 marshalls are on the track as the first car exits that corner, the last marshall evacuates the track midpack.

The track was not clear on the end of lap 56, it was only clear on lap 57... go back and watch the marshals were still there when the cars went past then on lap 56. So how can Masi annouce to let go unlapped cars?

False, the last 3 marshalls are in the midst of evacuating the track as the pack arrives, on Gasly's onboard (final car in the pack) the track is indeed clear as he passes, at that point Hamilton has not crossed the finish line.

The marshalls need to be all back to thier posts. So if Gasly was in that corner, Hamilton would have been very close to the end of the lap, so once the Marshals all reported back to race control to say they were all back, Lewis would have definitely been over the line.

This was clearly not a requirement in Imola, I cannot find such requirement in regulations, feel free to point me to the specific regulations. I responded to the statement that marshalls were on the track at the end of lap 56. It is clearly visible on Gasly's onboard that the track, which is defined by the white lines was cleared at the end of lap 56.

[siskue2005]

False, the last 3 marshalls are in the midst of evacuating the track as the pack arrives, on Gasly's onboard (final car in the pack) the track is indeed clear as he passes, at that point Hamilton has not crossed the finish line.

So, evaluating the track means its not clear... they to evaluate everything before they give it all clear! So on lap 56 as u said there were 3 marshalls on the track when the last car came through the 3rd last corner, which means it was not clear. So what i said is absolutely true, thank you for the confirmation

No, again false. I said the opposite: all marshalls had evacuated the track on Gasly's onboard as he comes out of the 3rd last corner and passes the crashsite, so the track is clear. The 3 marshalls are on the track as the first car exits that corner, the last marshall evacuates the track midpack.

False, the last 3 marshalls are in the midst of evacuating the track as the pack arrives, on Gasly's onboard (final car in the pack) the track is indeed clear as he passes, at that point Hamilton has not crossed the finish line.

The marshalls need to be all back to thier posts. So if Gasly was in that corner, Hamilton would have been very close to the end of the lap, so once the Marshals all reported back to race control to say they were all back, Lewis would have definitely been over the line.

This was clearly not a requirement in Imola, I cannot find such requirement in regulations, feel free to point me to the specific regulations. I responded to the statement that marshalls were on the track at the end of lap 56. It is clearly visible on Gasly's onboard that the track, which is defined by the white lines was cleared at the end of lap 56.

39.12 If the clerk of the course considers it safe to do so, and the message "LAPPED CARS MAY NOW
OVERTAKE" has been sent to all teams Competitors via the official messaging system, any cars
that have been lapped by the leader will be required to pass the cars on the lead lap and the
safety car.
This will only apply to cars that were lapped at the time they crossed the Line at the end of the
lap during which they crossed the first Safety Car line for the second time after the safety car
was deployed.
Having overtaken the cars on the lead lap and the safety car these cars should then proceed
around the track at an appropriate speed, without overtaking, and make every effort to take up
position at the back of the line of cars behind the safety car. Whilst they are overtaking, and in
order to ensure this may be carried out safely, the cars on the lead lap must always stay on the
racing line unless deviating from it is unavoidable. Unless the clerk of the course considers the
presence of the safety car is still necessary, once the last lapped car has passed the leader the
safety car will return to the pits at the end of the following lap.


https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files ... -12-16.pdf

These are the regulations from FIA

The clerk of the course need to communicate that the track is safe before they can display the lapped cars can overtake message. As u said the marshalls were inspecting the track EVEN when the last car was going through the 3rd last corner (most probably Lewis was just about to cross the start finish. So by the time they report back and the clerk communicates its clear it was already lap 57...... hence Masi put the message that lapped cars wont be allowed to overtake as that means there wont be any laps left for final show down. But we all know what happened next as he was lobbied to break these rules.

[NathanOlder]

This was clearly not a requirement in Imola, I cannot find such requirement in regulations, feel free to point me to the specific regulations. I responded to the statement that marshalls were on the track at the end of lap 56. It is clearly visible on Gasly's onboard that the track, which is defined by the white lines was cleared at the end of lap 56.

If this part is true then a that would mean things like tractors are clear of the track once they are outside the white lines, you and I both know this isn't the case. For the track to be clear, everyone must be back behind barriers and well clear of any chance of being hit.

[Big Tea]

This was clearly not a requirement in Imola, I cannot find such requirement in regulations, feel free to point me to the specific regulations. I responded to the statement that marshalls were on the track at the end of lap 56. It is clearly visible on Gasly's onboard that the track, which is defined by the white lines was cleared at the end of lap 56.

If this part is true then a that would mean things like tractors are clear of the track once they are outside the white lines, you and I both know this isn't the case. For the track to be clear, everyone must be back behind barriers and well clear of any chance of being hit.

And the track run off and barrier must be in an acceptable condition.

[cooken]

Seems to be currently breaking that Masi is removed.

[RZS10]

https://www.fia.com/news/fia-president- ... refereeing

1. Masi got sacked.
2. VAR like system to be implemented
3. No direct radio communication, questions can be asked via strict protocol.
4. The unlapping procedure will be reassessed.
5. New race direction: Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas who will alternate and will be assisteded by Herbie Blash

[RZS10]

That is as close to admitting that something didn't go quite right as possible without outright saying it.

[cooken]

About time....a bit clumsy of them to steal Ferraris thunder though.

[AeroDynamic]

Sorry for those in denial, but the FIA recognise he did do something wrong, maybe Masi knows it too.

Reality has crept in

[CriXus]

"something didn't go quite right"

That's an understatement.

[AeroDynamic]

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem opens the way for a new step forward in Formula 1 refereeing

Ladies, gentlemen,

During the F1 Commission Meeting in London, I presented part of my plan for a new step forward in Formula 1 refereeing.

Drawing conclusions from the detailed analysis of the events of the last F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and from the 2021 season, I proposed an in-depth reform of the organization of refereeing and race direction. It was unanimously supported by F1 CEO and teams principals.

Here is my plan for these structural changes:

Firstly, to assist the race director in the decision-making process, a Virtual Race Control Room will be created. Alike the Video Assistance Referee (VAR) in football, it will be positioned in one of the FIA Offices as a backup outside the circuit. In real-time connection with the FIA F1 race director, it will help to apply the sporting regulations using the most modern technological tools.

Secondly, direct radio communications during the race, currently broadcast live by all TVs, will be removed in order to protect the race director from any pressure and allow him to take decisions peacefully. It will still be possible to ask questions to the race director, according to a well-defined and non-intrusive process.

Thirdly, unlapping procedures behind safety car will be reassessed by the F1 Sporting Advisory Committee and presented to the next F1 Commission prior to the start of the season.

And finally, I would like to inform you that a new race management team will be put in place starting in Barcelona for the test session.

Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas will act alternatively as Race Director, assisted by Herbie Blash as permanent senior advisor.

Michael Masi, who accomplished a very challenging job for three years as Formula 1 race director following Charlie Whiting, will be offered a new position within the FIA.

I presented this complete plan to the members of the World Motor Sport Council and the Senate who gave their full support.

With this plan, FIA opens the way for a new step forward in Formula 1 refereeing. Without the referees, there is no sport. Respect and support of the referees is in the essence of the FIA. That is why these structural changes are crucial in a context of strong development and the legitimate expectations of drivers, teams, manufacturers, organizers, and of course, the fans.

I warmly thank all those who contributed to this reform.

These changes will enable us to start the 2022 Formula 1 season in the best conditions, and our sport will be even more loved and respected.

Thank you for your attention.

[RZS10]

So it's the DTM race director, who was already offered a position as deputy race director by the FIA in November and who was heavily criticized for his decision making in DTM, Freitas from WEC who did an alright job from what i know and Herbie Blash who was already Whiting's deputy race director.

Having watched DTM i really don't know if that guy is an upgrade.

[SiLo]

This is really, the best outcome we could hope for from the FIA, short of them actually admitting that they --- up.

Not sure why they need to say something about adding VAR, the stewards already have some of the most detailed access to "VAR" in any sport. Unless they mean something new, but I think they don't.

[SiLo]

So it's the DTM race director, who was already offered a position as deputy race director by the FIA in November and who was heavily criticized for his decision making in DTM, Freitas from WEC who did an alright job from what i know and Herbie Blash who was already Whiting's deputy race director.

Having watched DTM i really don't know if that guy is an upgrade.

What poor decisions did he make in DTM? I know a lot of noise is made about things that are actually within the rules these days...