FIA issue drivers with warning ahead of Saudi Arabian GP qualifying

The F1 drivers have been warned by FIA race director Michael Masi they face being reported to the stewards should they try to create a gap at a blind part of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

During practice on Friday, the self-proclaimed 'fastest street track in F1' highlighted a concern that threatened to pose a significant problem in the qualifying session.

On-board footage of one of Lewis Hamilton's laps showed the Mercedes driver haring up behind slower cars waiting to prepare for their own quick lap in the final sector of the 27-turn, 6.1km circuit, with the closing speeds frightening.

Following practice, Hamilton declared the track to be "Rapid! Unbelievably quick!" but immediately aired his worries by adding; "The closing-difference speed is definitely getting to a bit of a danger zone."

The matter was discussed between the 20 drivers and Masi during Friday's briefing, leading to the following change in the event notes.

The relevant section reads: "Any driver intending to create a gap in front of him in order to get a clear lap should not attempt to do this around turn 23 through to turn 25.

"Any driver seen to have done this will be reported to the stewards as being in breach of Article 27.4 of the Sporting Regulations."

That particular article states: "At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person."

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