F1 drivers urge FIA to introduce ‘lap deletion’ red flag rule

Several F1 drivers are urging the FIA to consider once again a rule that would delete the fastest lap times of drivers who cause red flags during qualifying.

Such a penalty system isn't entirely new. Similar regulations already exist in feeder series like Formula 2 and Formula 3, allowing stewards to remove lap times if they deem a driver deliberately caused a red flag.

This aims to deter tactical red flags, a scheme historically exploited on tight street circuits like Monaco where F1 is racing this weekend.

One infamous example occurred in 2006, when Michael Schumacher feigned an off at Rascasse and stopped his car, denying Fernando Alonso a chance to beat his provisional pole time.

While Schumacher received a harsh penalty - starting from the back of the grid – on that occasion, the potential for a strategic red flag action remained.

In 2014, Nico Rosberg locked up and took to the escape route at Mirabeau, which brought out yellow flags and hindered Lewis Hamilton's attempt to improve his lap.

Similarly, Sergio Perez's crash in Monaco qualifying in 2022 prevented Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz from potentially securing pole position.

• Read also: FIA and Formula 1 hit the reset button with ‘new strategic plan’

Looking beyond F1, IndyCar utilizes a system that automatically deletes lap times based on the severity of the incident.

Drivers who cause yellow flags lose their best time in that segment, while red flags lead to the disqualification of both their best laps.

This approach removes subjectivity from the penalty and ensures a clear consequence for causing disruptions.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz voiced his support for the FIA to reconsider a clear-cut lap-deletion penalty rule.

"There have been very clear cases in street circuits where, between us drivers, we've spotted people on purpose generating red flags," Sainz said.

"The FIA hasn't been maybe as convinced about them being on purpose, because as drivers we know what's on purpose and what's not.

"So, it will be interesting to see what approach they take into this weekend.

"It's always a topic around Monaco. I just hope that for the benefit of the show and the fair play and fair racing, we all go out there in Q1 and Q3, giving it all without taking unnecessary risks."

Alpine’s Esteban Ocon said that drivers have already talked with the FIA’s race control about the merits of introducing a deleted-lap red flag rule.

“I think, if I’m correct, that’s being looked at by the FIA,” he said.

“I think recently we’ve discussed that in some drivers’ meetings, that a situation where a driver would cause a red flag would be monitored.

“I think that should be something sensible to be doing because we’ve seen in the past drivers causing issues and the others not being able to do a lap. That should be something that the FIA monitors, I think.”

Russell – a director of the GPDA – and Perez both agreed with the Frenchman.

“We obviously have laps deleted all the time in qualifying for track limits,” Russell commented.

“I think if you were to cause a yellow flag or red flag, you should probably have your best lap deleted. Nothing more to say about that.”

"Yeah, definitely. I think it is how it should be,” added Perez. “We've been trying to do that sort of push in the last few years, but it doesn't seem to happen."

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