Formula 1 drivers have been reminded that they faced a grid penalty if found to be driving too slowly, or erratically, during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix.
The enhanced benefit of picking up a slipstream at the high-speed Monza circuit has previously led to drivers being unwilling to be at the front of the train in qualifying.
This was witnessed 12 months ago when the bunching on the out-lap during the final stages of Q3 was so pronounced that only two drivers made it over the line in time to begin a lap.
A mess also occurred during Formula 3 qualifying on Friday to the extent that almost a third of the 30 drivers were hit with various grid penalties.
In his revised event notes on Saturday morning Formula 1 Race Director Michael Masi issued a reminder to teams and drivers.
“For reasons of safety, during each practice session, acts such as weaving across the track to hinder another car may be referred to the stewards,” read the notes.
“During FP3 and qualifying, the time published will be used as a guide by the stewards to determine if a Driver is considered to be driving unnecessarily slowly on an out lap or any other lap that is not a fast lap or in lap.”
Masi has indicated that drivers must remain below 1:43s during their out-laps in order not to contravene this regulation.
World Champion Lewis Hamilton expressed his concerns after Friday practice at Monza.
“It was difficult in the past and obviously we didn’t even get to do the last lap last year, so I think it’s going to be interesting,” he said.
“Still I think it’ll be a nightmare at the last corner with everyone trying to get a gap and yeah, it’s definitely going to be hard work.”
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