Formula 1 pundit and ex-driver, Martin Brundle, has hit out at Race Control following the Monaco Grand Prix, which saw confusion at the start of the race.
The race was meant to start at 15:00 local time, but was delayed twice, with the official reason given that incoming weather was to blame despite conditions at the time being good enough to start.
However after the race, the FIA issued a statement explaining that the real reason for the delay was down to a power issue on the grid and fears the start lights and light boards which encircle the track might not work as intended.
Brundle says the initial explanation made little sense and questioned why the real reason wasn’t communicated originally.
“Holding up a race in anticipation of incoming weather is not necessary,” he wrote in his Sky Sports column. “We have virtual and real safety cars, red flags, pit stop crews who can change tyres in two seconds, and two types of wet weather tyres to cover those challenges. That’s what Formula One racing is all about.
“We were informed by the FIA at 20.03 after the race on Sunday that there were power issues on the starting gantry due to the heavy rain which explains the rolling starts after the red flags.
“If we had been told this in the media via our simple and effective WhatsApp group, we could have then informed the tens of millions of viewers around the globe and the tens of thousands of fans trackside, and it would all have made a lot more sense.”
Brundle has called for urgent “root and branch” change within Race Control, despite the hiring of two new race directors – Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas – supported by Herbie Blash and the implementation of a new in-race review system, similar to VAR in football.
“A couple of reliable sources tell me that there were heated arguments in Race Control during the impasse as we all looked on unsure of what was happening. This presumably explains the periods of inaction and lack of information, and the reason why the safety car was not out exploring track conditions as usual.
“The FIA, for the well-being of F1, urgently needs a root and branch change with a fully dedicated and empowered Race Director with at least one understudy, a dedicated circuit and systems inspector, plus an empowered and effective communications department. I consider this a highest priority issue.”
Bring back Masi !
Seriously, most of the FIA management schemes, the monitoring and auditing seem to be struggling with ‘fit for purpose’.
Its grown organically with an over arching culture of ‘we understand what’s needed because its motorsport’. It still exists in UK Rail Industry.
However most hazardous industries have spent decades critically developing ‘Quality’ management systems and specialist topics such as environmental and safety. Now a suit of ISO standards, there is also an industry of consultants to both introduce and educate an organisation, and then monitor and audit for certification.
As usual FIA decided to avoid that. In Formula E they documented their environmental management system and the (non-certified) FIA Institute certified it. (FE now has an independent accreditation).
Unfortunately, either by customer pressure, or senior executive ethics, it needs a real intent and purpose for a root & branch conversion – even legislation doesn’t trigger a real change in culture.
They need a really strong character as the sole race control at every race who will say: “It is going to go like this and if I am wrong, I will take the blame”. Too many cooks at the moment and it shows.
Slightly off topic, but for those who cannot stand the sound of Crofty and Brundle’s voices, the F1 TV stream have completely different announcers which are MUCH better. I was surprised and relieved to find this out last weekend. I can now actually watch and listen to races without hearing constant excuses over what is preventing Lulu from beating Russell.