The problem with drivers getting warmer tires as they prepared to restart was highlighted by multiple incidents at the Australian Grand Prix when they had to follow the safety car until it went out.
The issue was discussed at length at Friday’s driver briefing in Baku, and the FIA lobbied teams on Saturday morning before confirming the new procedure.
The safety car will now leave the pit lane with lights turned off 30 seconds before the start of the race, giving drivers a better chance to set their pace, build distance and heat up their tyres.
GPDA director George Russell said the FIA’s response to their concerns had been positive.
“We all had a good chat,” Russell said when asked by Autosport about the changes. “First, all the drivers got together and talked after Melbourne.
“I thought it was interesting today (in the Baku sprint on Saturday) we were two laps behind the VSC, we kept the tires warm. The safety car came out and then we were 20 seconds slower each lap, within a lap , I lost 10 degrees of tire temperature.
“I think now the FIA finally understands that taking the safety car out in situations like this can sometimes lead to more accidents because you lose tire temperature.
“So that’s the whole rationale behind this rule change. We need to continue to improve. I think we all hope that the FIA is now more open to our views and discussions. Time will tell.”
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, one of the drivers involved in the Melbourne restart chaos, agreed it was a positive response from the FIA.
“I think it’s the right direction,” the Spaniard said. “We asked the FIA and we were very direct with them yesterday, straight to the point what we need to avoid as many crashes as we have in Australia.
“They seem to have embraced the feedback positively and acted on it immediately, which is exactly what we need in terms of safety and driver focus, and it’s a good step and good progress in our partnership.”
McLaren’s Lando Norris stressed that tire temperature issues were not always taken seriously.
“When 20 drivers sit behind the wheel and witness how difficult certain conditions can be when the weather turns cold and the tires turn cold, we risk making ourselves look like a bunch of idiots, as happened in Australia,” Norris said. explain.
“It’s just because you don’t realize sometimes how tricky it is. I know we have big, beautiful tyres, and it looks unbelievable.
“But when you’re driving, it’s trickier than people think. At the same time, from a safety point of view, we want to make the sport better, we want it to be closer and more fun. Because when It’s more fun, and it’s more fun for us.
“I think it’s fine when we say something to help the car and the sport. Then when things are put into action, it gets better. But when things are said, but don’t change, it’s not the best. the result of.”