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The Dutch GP weekend saw the unusual sight of drivers waiting in the narrow pit exit lane before starting their laps.
Because it was not possible to pass, it sometimes caused frustration for those who were behind and wanted to jump in.
In some cases, drivers were unable to complete the lap in time to complete their last lap, or were unable to retract their tires as planned.
Creating gaps has become a regular problem in recent seasons, and has often led to penalties for drivers deemed to have hampered their rivals.
Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel qualified only 17th at Zandvoort after being blocked by traffic in Q1.
Nikita Mazepin, Haas VF-21, Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin AMR21
Photo by: Erik Junius
“It happens too often,” Aston team principal Otmar Szafnauer told Autosport. “And then the guy who blocks someone first in the quick lap is usually punished.
“But it shouldn’t be this guy, it should be everyone who caused the train.” And that’s what the FIA should review and punish those who initiate the process.
“You can’t block the pit lane once you get out of it, unless you can wait on the side and allow people to pass you to take their turns. “
In terms of gap creation, Masi made circuit-by-circuit calls. In Azerbaijan, pilots were asked to back up well before the end of the lap, and not in the fast corners that lead to the start / finish area.
Zandvoort’s tight lap meant he asked the drivers to create a gap before entering the track.
“Some teams have told me about it,” said the Australian. “And due to the nature of the circuit, I said I would prefer them to create their gaps on this site, on the pit exit route, rather than on the Track.
“And I think everyone accepted that, and they were all doing the exact same thing. So simply because of the nature of the place. I think they all got that message right. “
F1’s next site at Monza has been the scene of controversy in recent years, with drivers pulling back and trying to get into position for a tow.
In 2019, those in the front slowed down so much that most Q3 contenders failed to make a final lap, and last year drivers were warned to avoid driving unnecessarily slowly. .
“A completely different set of circumstances and we will deal with Monza separately,” Masi said. “Plus, of course, this is a sprint qualifying event next weekend.
“This is what it has been, and Monza will be what Monza will be. And the events after that, we will look at them all according to the characteristics of the track. “
Masi also explained why the Q2 at Zandvoort was not relaunched after Nicholas Latifi’s crash brought out a red flag with 1m38 on the clock – enough time for at least a few riders to make a final lap.
“I think you just hit the nail on the head, just a few,” Masi said. “And we, if you take a look, still aren’t resuming a qualifying session unless anyone who can take part in that session can all come out of the pits and start their laps pitched.
“From a sports fairness perspective, we still haven’t restarted part of qualifying if everyone can’t get out, go around and start their lap.
“On some circuits, it’s two minutes, two and a half minutes. You have to assess each circuit for what it is.
“But you look at the typical example of people slowing down on the pit exit route and things like that, and everybody trying to create gaps – there was no way everybody could get out and start. a spin launched. “
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