Formula 1 chief Ross Brawn has suggested that the championship could change the format of race restarts, in the wake of Max Verstappen’s approach in Brazil.
For 2019 Formula 1 tweaked the restart rules, meaning the start/finish line, rather than Safety Car line 1 – usually located at pit entry – was regarded as the green flag point.
In order to deny his rivals a slipstream on the long run to the Senna S at Interlagos Verstappen waited until almost the last moment before accelerating, thus signalling the restart.
“Verstappen was particularly strong at the second re-start, when he slowed the field right down with the aim of ensuring no one would be able to slipstream past him and snatch victory,” said Brawn.
“It was an exciting and fascinating re-start which will be analysed very carefully, as the closeness of the pack in the seconds leading up the green flags resulted in a thrilling spectacle as drivers jockeyed for position and where the slightest advantage proved decisive.
“Examining the possibility of procedurally recreating those conditions in future is an interesting concept and one that will undoubtedly be explored in the coming period.”
Brawn went on to praise Verstappen for his performance at Interlagos and reckons Red Bull has sent a warning shot to its rivals for 2020.
“Red Bull was definitely the best package on the day but Max, too, was in superb form,” said Brawn.
“He didn’t waver, he trusted the judgement of his engineers and strategists, and he delivered a winning drive of pace, power and precision.
“Of Max’s three wins this year, this was the one where the Red Bull-Honda package was at its best, as it seems to have closed on if not actually matched the level of its rivals.
“There’s only one race to go, but the Milton Keynes team and the Japanese manufacturer have laid down a strong marker for 2020.”
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