F1: FIA agrees to new red flag restart procedure

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The FIA has agreed to modify the red flag restart procedure for today’s Sprint in Baku and likely any race henceforth.

Drivers complained about cold tires at the restart in Melbourne. Now, the Safety Car will leave 30s early for the formation lap rather than the safety car leading the field around for most of the lap before switching its lights off, it will now depart 30 seconds ahead of the pack.

“This procedure will mean that the safety car will leave the pit lane and then immediately extinguish its lights so that when the field exits the pit lane 30 seconds later, the pace will be dictated by the lead car on the lap to the grid.

“This updated procedure has been implemented to allow the drivers to manage their tire temperatures more effectively ahead of the standing restart.”