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FIA Introduces Mandatory Speed Rule for Australian Grand Prix to Prevent Slow Driving Incidents
The 2025 Formula 1 season kicked off in Melbourne with the first two practice sessions at Albert Park. However, the opening day of the Australian Grand Prix weekend saw a major incident during FP1 when Ollie Bearman suffered a significant crash. The severity of the accident forced him to sit out FP2, raising concerns about safety and on-track regulations.
In response to recent safety considerations and the need to maintain consistent speeds during key sessions, the FIA has introduced a new rule to prevent drivers from excessively slowing down during certain laps. Race director Rui Marques issued an official statement outlining these regulatory changes, which are designed to enhance safety and improve the flow of sessions.
According to the FIA’s newly implemented mandate, all drivers must adhere to a minimum lap time while driving between the designated safety car lines on the track. Specifically, the governing body has set a benchmark time of 1:33.0, which competitors must not exceed during reconnaissance laps, in-laps after the conclusion of qualifying sessions, and any laps where they are not pushing for a timed run.
This move is intended to eliminate dangerous situations where drivers deliberately slow down excessively while preparing for a flying lap. In recent seasons, the practice of extreme slow driving—especially towards the end of qualifying—has led to traffic congestion, unsafe conditions, and incidents where drivers have obstructed one another unintentionally. By enforcing this new rule, the FIA aims to create a safer and more predictable environment during these critical moments of a race weekend.
The new regulation comes with strict enforcement measures. Any driver found breaching the mandated minimum lap time may face penalties, which could impact their starting position or race prospects for the Australian Grand Prix. While the FIA has not specified the exact nature of the penalties, past infractions of similar regulations have resulted in grid drops or time-based punishments.
The introduction of this rule is part of the FIA’s ongoing efforts to refine the competitive structure of Formula 1 while prioritizing safety. With the sport continuing to evolve, regulatory bodies are keen to ensure that drivers maintain fair play while reducing risks associated with unpredictable on-track behavior.
As teams and drivers adjust to this new requirement, all eyes will be on Melbourne to see how it impacts strategy and performance across the remainder of the weekend.
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