F1 rules changed for Brazil GP after controversial Max Verstappen penalty decision

The FIA has now taken action to forbid similar stunts, but Max Verstappen and George Russell escaped penalties last weekend in Mexico for stopping at the end of the pit lane and obstructing their competitors.

After multiple drivers obstructed the pit lane during last weekend’s qualifying for the Mexico Grand Prix, the FIA has taken strict measures against impeding offenses.

Max Verstappen and George Russell were both investigated for stopping at the end of the pit lane and preventing their rivals from going out on track, as was Fernando Alonso. But none of them received a punishment from the stewards.

Explaining that decision, the fact that drivers have to adhere to a minimum lap time between the safety car lines on track during qualifying was taken into account. “It is better to have the potential of cars backing-up in the pit lane or at the pit exit, instead of the potentially dangerous situation of large speed differences on track,” said the stewards,

They also said they were happy that Verstappen and Russell were acting “in good faith”. But they said a “better solution” needed to be found going forward.

And the FIA has taken action in less than a week. Drivers will not be permitted to stop in the fast lane of the pits during qualifying at this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix, preventing them from hindering their competitors in that way.

Race director Niels Wittich sent the teams pre-race event notes, which clearly state that drivers will face penalties if they are discovered to have held up their competitors during qualifying by stopping or slowing down in the fast lane without a valid reason.

“As per article 33.4 of the Formula 1 Sporting Regulations, drivers are not allowed to go unnecessarily slow, that includes stopping a car in the fast lane of the pitlane,” the document reads.

Drivers may leave a space between the SC2 line and the pit exit lights during Shootout [for the Sprint race on Saturday] and Qualifying. If a driver wants to pass another car on the right side of the pit exit road, they must move as far to the left as they can.

It follows Martin Brundle’s intervention request. Maybe drivers ought to be required to stop in the middle lane instead of the fast lane. There are two problems, though: first, the cars wouldn’t be spaced out very well on the track, and second, some circuits, like Monaco, don’t have enough room for a middle pit lane that size,” the Sky Sports analyst wrote.

“Teams at the far end of pit lane and drivers who have to leave and continue with their qualifying lap preparation do seem to be treated unfairly.” For the time being, I suppose we must clarify that it is a customary practice, allow the drivers and teams resolve their differences amicably, and search for a better course of action.”