Sainz wants rethink of 'crazy' SC starts at Baku

Carlos Sainz wasn't happy with the Safety Car procedures in Baku, believing the restarts generated unnecessary risk for drivers racing in the middle of the field.

The Azerbaijan GP was marked by relative chaos at times, with several safety car periods forcing race restarts and subsequent contacts and collisions among the drivers.

Sainz's beef was with Baku's layout which includes a long 2.2 km pit-straight, with a Safety Car line located half-way down.

On restarts, leaders accelerate away while drivers back in the field are still dealing with a corner and effectively can't see the exact moment when the race goes green.

"It was probably the most dangerous part of the race when we restart," Sainz explained.

"The leaders were waiting up until the safety car line to start and at the same time they were going fast and slow.

"For the guys at the back we are still in the corners when they going fast, slow, there's walls and we cannot see through them.

"So suddenly we are going flat-out sixth, seventh gear and they were braking again. For me, a bit on the dangerous side."

'I spun but it was a sacrifice,' says Sainz

The Toro Rosso driver believes a better procedure would be to move the Safety Car line back to the exit of Turn 16 in order for the field to enjoy a more predictable and progressive launch.

"Probably for next year they should consider when the leader is obliged to push. I think they should just put a rule where the leader starts before Turn 16 and to be flat from 16 because you cannot be slow, slow braking, fast, slow braking all of the time in such a long straight with people actually thinking they are going.

"Suddenly you are upshifting and upshifting, and braking again. It was probably the most dangerous part of the race.

"If I would have been the leaders then I probably would have done the same. It's not the leader's fault at all as I think all of us would have done the same to avoid the maximum possible slipstream that is on that straight.

"It's just the rule I think and if you want to be a bit more careful and make sure no accidents, if not, let it be and more things will happen."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.