Global Motorsport – Former Ferrari team principal and FIA President Jean Todt has weighed in on the controversial five-second penalty handed to Max Verstappen at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, suggesting a significant rule change to address similar incidents in the future.
Todt, a highly respected figure in Formula 1, believes the current regulations regarding drivers leaving the track and gaining an advantage can lead to inconsistencies and subjective interpretations. To mitigate this, he has proposed a system where designated “escape roads” or run-off areas are mandated at critical corners.
Speaking to a prominent motorsport publication, Todt explained his idea: “Instead of relying solely on stewards’ judgment after an incident, why not implement a system where if a driver goes wide at a specific corner and uses the escape road, there is an automatic consequence?”
He elaborated on potential consequences, suggesting options such as:
* Mandatory pit stop: The driver would be required to make an immediate pit stop, losing track position.
* Fixed time penalty loop: A designated “penalty loop” would be added to the track layout at certain corners. Drivers going wide would be forced to drive through this loop, adding a predetermined amount of time to their lap.
* Drive-through penalty: Similar to the current penalty, but triggered automatically by sensors when a driver uses the designated escape route beyond track limits.
Todt emphasized that the key aim of such a system would be to create a more objective and immediate penalty for gaining an advantage off-track, reducing the reliance on post-race investigations and subjective decisions by the stewards.
“The goal is to make it clearer for the drivers and the fans,” Todt stated. “If there is a defined area and a defined consequence for using it in a way that gains an advantage, it removes a lot of the ambiguity.”
He acknowledged that implementing such a system would require careful consideration of track design and the specific characteristics of each corner. However, he believes it is a worthwhile endeavor to enhance the fairness and transparency of racing.
Todt’s suggestion comes in the wake of the debate surrounding Verstappen’s penalty in Jeddah, where stewards deemed he gained a lasting advantage by going off track at Turn 2 while battling Oscar Piastri for the lead. Red Bull presented onboard evidence arguing Verstappen was ahead at the apex, but the FIA stood by their decision.
The former FIA President’s proposal has already sparked discussion within the F1 community, with some praising it for its potential to create more consistent and easily understandable penalties. Others have raised concerns about the practicalities of implementation and the potential for such systems to disrupt the natural flow of racing.
Regardless of the ultimate feasibility, Jean Todt’s intervention highlights the ongoing debate surrounding track limits and penalties in Formula 1 and underscores the desire for clearer and more consistent regulations to ensure fair and exciting competition.