FIA warn F1 teams over potential breach of new Dutch GP cramped pit lane rules

Dutch Grand Prix

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FIA warn F1 teams over potential breach of new Dutch GP cramped pit lane rules

The Zandvoort pit area is tight

Ian Parkes

Sunday 5 September 2021 13:31

The FIA has warned the F1 teams they face the threat of possible penalties if found to breach new pit lane rules drawn up specifically for the Dutch Grand Prix.

The Zandvoort circuit features a cramped pit lane, which the FIA has recognised may cause issues during the pit stops for the 72-lap race.

In particular, the new instruction will prevent double stacking - when a team pits its cars one after another and often seen when there has been an incident and a team takes advantage of the circumstances at that time.

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A note to all the teams from FIA race director Michael Masi read: "This instruction is issued for the safe and orderly conduct of the event and in accordance with article 12.2.1.i of the FIA International Sporting Code. "The positioning of a car in the pit lane during the race, which impedes another car in the fast lane or prevents another car from stopping in or leaving its allocated pit stop position, may be considered an infringement of the principles of fairness in a competition along with unsportsmanlike behaviour by a competitor and/or driver.

"Such actions will be deemed a breach of regulations under article 12.2.1.l of the FIA International Sporting Code."

Commenting on the Zandvoort pit lane prior to the note being issued, McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl said: "It is the tightest pit lane in the entire year.

"In Monaco, we have around 16 metres from pit stop position to pit stop position, here we have only 14 metres.

"So that is a challenge and we prepared for that challenge as much as we could with practice and trying different scenarios together with the pit crew and the drivers.

"But of course, if all cars come in together, that can cause issues."