Russell: New F1 Virtual Race Control Room 'makes total sense'

George Russell has welcomed the FIA's changes to F1's race control structure, including the addition of a new VAR-style 'Virtual Race Control Room' that will help the stewards' decision task.

The FIA announced earlier this week a series of changes to F1's race control unit, with former race director Michael Masi leaving his role following the controversy that marred the sport's season finale in Abu Dhabi last December.

Two new race directors, Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich, who both have extensive experience as FIA officials, will alternate this season at the helm of F1's new race control structure, while veteran F1 official Herbie Blash will be on hand to advise the pair.

Although the usual trio of FIA stewards will still be on site to judge and sanction controversial moves or racing incidents on the track, their efforts will be supported by a new 'Virtual Race Control Room' that will operate in a similar way to football's VAR, or Video Assistance Referee'.

"Like the Video Assistance Referee, VAR, in football, it will be positioned in one of the FIA offices as a backup outside the circuit," commented F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali.

"In real-time connection with the FIA F1 race director, it will help to apply the sporting regulations using the most modern technological tools."

Russell, who is currently the president of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, welcomed the new structure, and revealed that F1's drivers had been consulted on the idea of relying on a back-up remote race control room.

• Read also: Russell says Mercedes can't afford any driver friction

"The GPDA did speak with the FIA," said the Mercedes driver. "But to be fair to them, they were incredibly proactive straight away after Abu Dhabi to find better solutions.

"I think the ‘VAR’ solution is great and it makes total sense to have further assistance, people analysing live and more input to get a quicker view and decision to be made.

"Times progress, things move on. The way that drivers are exploiting the rulebook is understandable and, equally, the FIA need to do more to compensate for that, because every team, every driver, is always going to look for a way to get the upper hand."

The new technology won't eliminate racing incidents between drivers but Russell insists the change is "a step in the right direction".

"I think it will take some time to really refine, but I think it’s definitely a step in the right direction," he said.

"But it’s never enough. It’s always going to need more. And I think the ‘VAR’ and the more things we can do virtually can only be beneficial."

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