Horner calls for FIA review after rain delay chaos

Adrian Newey and Christian Horner from Red Bull Racing — Photo: © LAT Images

Monaco Grand Prix

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Horner calls for FIA review after rain delay chaos

Teams scrambled for tyres after the Monaco GP was delayed

Ewan Gale

Tuesday 31 May 2022 08:00

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has called for the FIA to review the "chaotic" delay to the start of the Monaco Grand Prix.

Rain fell just over 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time for the race, prompting a scramble between the pit lane and the grid with teams swapping tyre compounds on each car.

Race control then delayed the start by 10 minutes despite the rain stopping, with mechanics rushing back to the grid with dry tyres.

But rain began to fall again, with a dash back to the grid perfectly depicting the chaos ensuing.

The governing body later issued an explanation for the delay, citing safety precautions given a lack of wet weather running across the weekend.

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"I think that needs a bit of a review because it was a little chaotic with tyres coming on the grid, off the grid," said Horner.

"It is a busy enough grid here and it is always a little bit dangerous to try and pre-empt the weather.

"You could argue it both ways, you could say we'd have been better starting the race and then reacting to the downpour and either putting the safety car out or stopping the race, but I think it needs a bit of a review after this weekend."

Horner - New FIA structure takes time to bed in

The FIA underwent a change in race control structure over the winter in the wake of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix controversy, with two new race directors - Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas - replacing Michael Masi, as well as a new remote VAR-style assistance being implemented.

But with numerous contentious decisions already this season, Horner was asked if he was confident with the FIA's handling of issues so far.

"I think obviously, there has been change but I have to say that race control are doing the best job that they can and certain things are a lot clearer this year," he replied.

"I think there are a lot of new people in the system and inevitably, that takes a little bit of time to bed in."

Additional reporting by Ian Parkes