FIA tweaks tyre rule after Mercedes error at Sakhir

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The FIA has provided teams with a clear sporting rule in the event of an incident similar to the one experienced by Mercedes and George Russell at Sakhir occurring in the future.

During a pit stop in the Sakhir GP, Mercedes accidentally fitted two front tyres to Russell's W11 that were part of teammate Valtteri Bottas' allocation.

The German outfit sent Russell back out but immediately called him back in to fit the correct set of tyres. However, the Briton's P9 finish and maiden championship points were put in jeopardy as the event's Stewards debated how to sanction Mercedes' pit stop blunder.

While an outright disqualification was feared, the Stewards eventually opted to levy a €20,000 fine upon Mercedes as they considered mitigated circumstances and the team's prompt reaction to correct its mistake.

Read also: INEOS takes equal stake in Mercedes team - Wolff to stay on

This week, the World Motor Sport Council issued an updated ruling to clarify how F1 teams' should manage a tyre usage error in the future.

"Any driver who uses a set of tyres of differing specifications or tyres not allocated to him during the race may not cross the line on the track more than twice before returning to the pits and changing them for a set of tyres of the same specification," stated the clarified rule.

But any driver who does not change back to the correct specification or set of tyre with three laps will receive a 10-second stop/go penalty.

Furthermore, another updated tyre rule for 2021 states that teams will be supplied with a standard allocation of compounds for each race by Pirelli, as was the case this season, rather than compile their own tyre selection ahead of each event.

Teams will be supplied with eight sets of softs, three sets of mediums and two sets of hards for each race weekend.

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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.