The FIA has issued updated guidance to drivers on Saturday morning ahead of qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix, warning against slowing between the final two corners of the Red Bull Ring circuit.
Turns 9 and 10 have been the scene of some close calls in the past and during practice as drivers backoff to create a gap to the car ahead, but with the corners being high-speed and blind to approaching cars, it makes it incredibly dangerous for those on a quick lap as they come across slower cars.
Although the regulations already cover such an event, the FIA’s Michael Masi has issued further guidance on Saturday directly to the drivers, warning them that any slowing at these two turns will be reported to the stewards.
“During any practice session, any driver intending to create a gap in front of him in order to get a clear lap should not attempt to do this between the entry to turn nine through to the exit of turn ten.
“Any driver seen to have done this will be reported to the stewards as being in breach of article 27.4 of the sporting regulations.”
Article 27.4 states: “At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person.”
The stewards will measure the time it takes for a driver to pass between the two Safety Car lines to judge whether or not they are driving “unnecessarily slowly on an out lap or any other lap that is not a fast lap or in-lap.”
Masi added that the FIA, circuit and other stakeholders including MotoGP’s FIM, are looking at possible changes to the corners for future events.
“We’re working together with our partners at the FIM, as well as the circuit, to try and see what solutions can work for all forms of the sport at both nine and ten, which are at this circuit, obviously the two areas where we still have ongoing the monitoring of track limit issues.”
