F1 needs solution for Monza 'tow' antics, say team bosses

Formula 1 team bosses says the sport needs to find a way to curtail the dangerous on-track congestion issues sparked by drivers seeking a tow around Monza in qualifying.

From aborted laps to near run-ins with slower cars to pitlane incidents, Friday evening's qualifying was marked by incessant traffic management problems as drivers jockeyed for position in a queue of cars seeking a tow from a teammate or rival.

The desperate need to slipstream which can deliver a gain of 0.7s over a full lap led to chaos in the pitlane in Q2, when multiple cars trickled simultaneously out of their garages in a bid to gain an edge and a spot in Q3.

Both Alpine and Aston Martin were fined by the Italian Grand Prix stewards for unsafe releases or putting someone in harm's way.

Aston team boss Otmar Szafnauer said that F1 needed to find a safe solution to the traffic problem.

"We’ve got to look at that to make sure we curtail it before something happens," he said.

"A lot of people were involved. It’s because the value of a tow is so high around here, that people try those types of things. We’ve got to think about how to do that better."

• Read also: Alpine and Aston Martin fined for pit lane qualifying chaos

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner echoed Szafnauer's concerns, with the issue stemming from the crucial importance of enjoying a two around the Temple of Speed.

"The tow is so very valuable," Horner told Sky. "I think Max got caught up on the first run by being out of sync. There was a whole bunch of cars all over the place and the closing speeds are so massive here.

"It's very difficult unless you send them out one by one for individual qualifying, and it's all part of it trying to get that bit of track position.

"But it does need to be safe. And, of course, the pitlane is getting a little bit nuts as well. Thankfully there were no incidents today, but it's something we should definitely have a good look at."

Horner also called into question the teams' role in conveying timely information to drivers regarding the presence of slower cars on the track during a qualifying scramble.

"You've got some big closing speeds," he added. "And of course the teams tell them [the drivers] who is on a fast lap.

"Sometimes you feel that perhaps communication could be better, but it's one of the nuances of racing in Monza I'm afraid."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter