F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Formula 1 enforces bike ban on drivers' track walks

Formula 1 drivers and team crews are no longer allowed to use bikes or any other means of transport during their Thursday track walks.

Drivers typically undertake a reconnaissance track walk with their engineers on Thursdays to discuss circuit changes or specific challenges ahead of the race weekend.

The track walk period is officially part of a Grand Prix's weekend timetable, with an assigned window that allow drivers to circulate on the circuit.

Many drivers have often opted to conduct their track walk on a bike or even a scooter. But the increased congestion during the period, which also allows the presence out on the track of drivers and crews from F1's support events, has led F1 to ban bikes or any other form of transportation.

In Bahrain, teams were informed of the new rule by Formula One Management which manages track activity as the organizer of the event.

"To clarify and to avoid future misunderstanding, the use of any means of transport (bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, e-scooters, etc) is forbidden during the time window stated as ‘Team Track Walks’ on the Event Timetable," stated FOM.

"No exceptions will be allowed. This decision has been agreed with the FIA."

Several drivers appeared non too pleased with the decision, with Charles Leclerc saying that he would likely skip Thursday's track walk exercise altogether in the future.

"I didn't walk around," he said. "And as I think they've just issued a new thing where we cannot go around the track with a bicycle you probably won't see me around the track anymore, and I'll just watch the videos!"

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

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

‘That was on me’ – Perez owns up to Shanghai tangle with Bottas

Last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix was barely a few corners old before the black-and-white Cadillacs…

11 hours ago

Leclerc defies peers, defends F1 new era: ‘It doesn’t feel artificial’

The 2026 Formula 1 season has touched down with the subtlety of a localized earthquake,…

12 hours ago

Norris: McLaren ‘not at level we need’ but confident of turnaround

Lando Norris was denied the chance to race in Shanghai, but the reigning world champion…

14 hours ago

A picture-perfect St. Patrick's Day!

Bring out your green, for it's St. Patrick's Day, which is the perfect excuse for…

15 hours ago

Wolff's Mercedes heritage flight for past and present stars

Once a Mercedes driver, always a Mercedes driver – and apparently always welcome aboard Toto…

16 hours ago

Very happy Gasly says Alpine now ‘in a completely different league’

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly walked away from last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix with a smile –…

17 hours ago