FIA clarifies safety car rules

Published on 18 March 2022 by Stefan Meens

The FIA has clarified the safety car rules, following the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, in which race director Michael Masi chose to only allow the cars between leader Lewis Hamilton and second-placed Max Verstappen to be waved through and unlap themselves, instead of all lapped cars.

Masi's decision ultimately led to the race being restarted with one lap remaining, giving Max Verstappen the oppertunity to clinch his first world title by overtaking Lewis Hamilton in that final lap to win the race.

To avoid any ambiguity going forward, the FIA, after discussions with the Formula 1 teams, has updated Article 55.13 of the sporting regulations. Where the rules previously stipulated that 'any' lapped car can be waved by, it now specifies that 'all' cars must be waved past the leader if it is considered safe to do so.