Formula E clarifies pit rules for Uruguay

The FIA has issued new guidance to Formula E teams ahead of this weekend's race in Punta del Este, Uruguay.

The new instructions relate to pit stop procedures. It comes after a member of Techeetah's pit crew was knocked over during the previous ePrix in Mexico.

The race was only the second to dispense with minimum pit stop times during the mid-race changeover of cars. There are concerns that too much haste in swapping the drivers may compromise safety in the garage.

"I think it wasn’t needed for it to change for this season," said Audi Sport's Daniel Abt, who won in Mexico. "It was good, it was safe. But we have to stick to the rules and it is what it is."

“It’s a bit frustrating because this championship is supposed to be about innovative technology," noted Virgin Racing's Sam Bird. "And yet all we seem to be speaking about is pitstop times."

However the FIA isn't planning on reintroducing minimum pit stop times. Instead, it's sticking to the line that responsibility for ensuring the pit stop goes smoothly and that seatbelts are properly fastened before the car is waved out remains with the team.

Abt bags maiden Formula E win in Mexico

"[Drivers] must be properly restrained in their seat by safety belts at all times when the car is moving," reads the new FIA guidance.

"It is prohibited to unbuckle their safety belts when the car is moving [or] to remove the steering wheel," the guidance continued. "It is prohibited to buckle any safety belts before the driver is seated in his car."

The drivers' harness now includes devices fitted to the shoulder straps to ensure that it has been properly secured.

"The belt tension device must only be activated when the driver is seated in his car with his seat belt fastened," the FIA warned.

The governing body has also modified the sporting code to allow officials to review incidents from a preceding race. Stewards will have the power to investigate and issue penalties where appropriate.

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.