The FIA has issued a message to all Formula 1 teams, outlining that climbing the pitwall fence to celebrate their drivers across the finish line is prohibited.
In recent years, it has become a tradition for members of the team to poke through the fence or even climb to the top of it to celebrate their drivers when they take the chequered flag.
The winning driver often moves over to the pitwall side of the track to get closer to their colleagues.
It creates a danger of a team member being placed in a dangerous situation if they were to slip through or fall onto an active track.
The action of climbing on the fence was originally outlawed for the 2006 season, however it has not been policed.
Appendix H, Article 2.3.2 of the FIA’s International Sporting Code (ISC) states: “Organisers of races are reminded that the pit lane represents a potentially dangerous area during the running of a competition, not only because of the racing cars using it but also in view of accidents which may occur owing to cars being on the race track adjacent to it.
“Therefore, access to the pit lane should be exclusively reserved during practice and races for those persons specially authorised and having a specific job to do.
“The pit wall signalling platform should be forbidden to all except authorised officials or race team personnel, having a special pass; the presence of any person in this zone should be strictly prohibited during the start of a race, unless there is adequate protection in place, at the discretion of the race director, if appointed, or the clerk of the course.
“Team personnel are only allowed in the pit lane immediately before they are required to work on a car and must withdraw as soon as the work is complete.
“It is forbidden for personnel to climb on pit wall debris fences at any time. Any action by a team breaching this ban will be reported to the stewards.”
But ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, F1 Race Director Neils Wittich has asserted that the situation will be monitored closely.
“It is forbidden to climb on the pitwall debris fence at any time,” he said, citing the relevant article in the ISC.
Last year, Formula E driver Jake Dennis criticised teams that celebrate by climbing the fence, highlighting the dangers that come with it.
