Source: Sauber F1 Media

F1 News

F1 moves to clarify two-move defence rules

F1 moves to clarify two-move defence rules

11-10-2018 10:50
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Jake Williams-Smith

Drivers will have to be on their best behaviour from now on after being told they could be punished for two separate moves in the same direction after the FIA clarified defensive rules.

After Lewis Hamilton was adamant that Sebastian Vettel had made two separate moves during their duel at the Russian Grand Prix, Charlie Whiting has explained his view on the incident further, including warning F1 drivers they could be punished for something similar in the future.

Although the race stewards decided not to penalise Vettel, Whiting admitted that in the future, that decision may not be repeated with punishments likely to be handed out if there is a clear break between both moves in one direction.

“The rule about two moves is traditionally about making a move one way and then making a second move the other way,” he told Motorsport.com

“I think everyone felt that that was what was generally understood by the rule, but I must say that when I first saw the incident in the race in Russia I thought the same: he (Vettel) has moved twice when I saw it from Lewis’ onboard.

“But when you look at it from track cameras and a forward shot when they are coming towards you, it is much less clear: that it looks like one move with a hesitation. 

"It doesn’t look like two distinct moves, which is why the stewards did not feel that they could justify a penalty.”