• 2010 season

FIA confirms it will review safety car rules

ESPNF1 Staff
May 20, 2010 « Red Bull only fears Alonso and Hamilton | »
The FIA will address the safety car rule that caught Michael Schumacher out © Sutton Images
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A change to the safety car rule that caught out Michael Schumacher at the Monaco Grand Prix should be in place for the European Grand Prix.

Michael Schumacher passed Fernando Alonso on the final lap of the race, after the safety car had returned to the pits to allow race-leader Mark Webber to cross the line at full speed. Under Article 40.13 overtaking was not permitted, but green flags and messages from race control led the Mercedes team to believe the race was back on through the final corner.

The sport's governing body has now admitted there was a lack of clarity in the rules and will address Article 40.13 at the next World Motor Sport Council's meeting on June 23.

"The problems identified during the final lap of the Monaco Grand Prix, counting for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship, showed a lack of clarity in the application of the rule prohibiting overtaking behind the safety car," read an FIA statement. "Adjustments to the regulations are necessary to clarify the procedure that cars must meet when the last lap is controlled by the safety car whilst also ensuring that the signaling for teams and drivers is made more clear.

"These adjustments will help to avoid the problem which occurred during the Monaco Grand Prix from happening in the future. The Formula One Commission, upon a proposal of the F1 Sporting Working Group will submit an amendment to the Sporting Regulations to address this issue. These amendments will be considered by the World Motor Sport Council at its next meeting in Geneva on June 23."

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