The FIA has explained the unusual sequence of events which led to Yuki Tsunoda (Scuderia AlphaTauri) being denied the opportunity to return to the lead during the safety car period at the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Yuki Tsunoda was one of three riders to drop out during the race suspension. Two Williams drivers Alexander Albon and Nicholas Latifi were also lapped.
Following last year’s Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, the process of allowing lapped cars to return to the lead lap has come under close scrutiny. F1 race director Michael Masi lost his job after preventing all the lapped cars on the hastily prepared final lap from resuming the lead lap, after which Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton to win the world championship.
An automated system has been introduced to improve the procedure. However, the nature of the Interlagos pit lane layout created complications and Yuki Tsunoda was overlooked.
An FIA spokesperson said: “All systems were functioning properly according to the regulations.”
“The unusual situation occurred due to the peculiarities of the particular circuit and scenario.”
After the safety car was deployed, Yuki Tsunoda was the first driver to cross Safety Car Line 1 before entering pit lane. So he scored his second pass on the next lap. The system usually logs him, which means he has the right to discard.
“But at this point he entered the pitlane and was able to outrun the peloton behind the safety car,” explained a spokesperson.
“In doing so, he discarded as he crossed the control line into the pitlane.
“When he rejoined the track, the system correctly indicated that he had been lapped again, but he had already unlatched once, so he was ineligible to lap again after the safety car ended.”
“Race Control confirmed with F1 Times that this was correct and only car No. 6 (Latifi) and No. 23 (Albon) were able to disengage.
“While this is a very unusual scenario, there have been no systemic or procedural errors. This is one of the unpredictable scenarios that can happen and there are no immediate changes that need to be implemented.”
“This will of course be discussed with the future Sports Advisory Board as part of the normal review process.”
Category: F1 / Hiroki Tsunoda / Brazilian F1 Grand Prix / Alpha Taurus
