BREAKING: FIA Introduces New F1 Rule Change After Ve…read more
FIA Introduces New F1 Rule Change After Verstappen-Bearman Incident in Australia
Formula 1’s governing body has moved swiftly to close a regulatory loophole after an unusual incident involving rookie Oliver Bearman and reigning champion Max Verstappen during last month’s Australian Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Haas driver, competing in just his third F1 race weekend, inadvertently highlighted an ambiguity in the Safety Car procedures that has now been addressed ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
The Incident That Changed the Rules
During a chaotic wet-weather race at Albert Park, Bearman found himself a lap down when the Safety Car was deployed following Fernando Alonso’s crash. While standard procedure allows lapped cars to overtake and rejoin the back of the pack, what happened next raised eyebrows up and down the pit lane.
After initially unlapping himself, Bearman was called into the pits by Haas on Lap 41. When he emerged, he found himself directly ahead of race leader Verstappen, much to the Red Bull driver’s confusion.
Verstappen’s radio message to engineer Gianpiero Lambiase captured the moment:
“So this car is now staying here, or what?”
The situation became even more unusual when Bearman was permitted to unlap himself a second time, effectively giving Verstappen an extra opportunity to attack the leading McLaren cars at the restart.
Regulatory Response
The FIA’s updated sporting regulations now introduce several key clarifications:
– Race director Rui Marques now has exclusive authority over pit lane access during Safety Car periods
– The unlapping procedure can only be initiated once per Safety Car intervention
– Clearer protocols for when and how lapped cars may rejoin the race order
– Enhanced race control oversight of pit exit procedures when the Safety Car train is circulating
An FIA spokesperson explained: “The amendments ensure consistent application of the rules while maintaining sporting fairness. We want to eliminate any potential confusion for drivers, teams, and fans.”
Implications for the Miami GP
The timing of this update means teams will need to adjust their strategic calculations immediately, particularly regarding pit stop timing during caution periods. The change also reduces the potential for controversial race restarts that could unfairly advantage or disadvantage certain competitors.
While Bearman’s name may not have been in the headlines for his on-track performance in Australia, his race has now left an indelible mark on F1’s regulatory framework – a rare achievement for a driver so early in their career.
The Miami International Autodrome, where the revised procedures will face their first real-world test under Florida’s scorching sun.
