The change is intended to give drivers a better chance of getting their tires heated up to avoid the kind of chaos that followed the restart of the last race in Australia.

After multiple restarts in Melbourne, drivers complained they were struggling to get their tires up to temperature needed for the restart as they followed the safety car through the initial part of the pre-restart procedure.

The topic was discussed at length during Friday night’s driver briefing given the apparent concern over a repeat at the Baku circuit, known for its red-flag stoppages.

The problem is that the FIA ​​cannot change its own sporting rules on race weekends.

However, a solution to the tire temperature problem within the current regulations has been found, based on the original proposal by Fernando Alonso.

For the resumption, the rules say: “When the green light comes on, the sprint session or race will resume behind the safety car, which leaves the pit lane. Drivers must follow the safety car no more than ten car lengths apart.”

Alonso’s suggestion that the safety car leave 30 seconds early, and then the leader take the lead onto the track and set the pace, effectively creates a gap, giving everyone more freedom to warm up the tires, rather than letting the pace be commanded.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23

Photography: Andrew Ferraro / motorsport pictures

The FIA ​​wrote to teams this morning seeking feedback on the possibility of a procedure, which would not require an actual rule change, to be used from today’s Baku sprint.

After studying the feedback, a final conference call will take place.

The rule continues: “When the stadium staff decides that it is safe to call the safety car, a ‘STANDING START’ message will be sent to all competitors using the official messaging system and all FIA light panels will display ‘SS’ and the safety car’s orange light will be extinguished .

“This will be a signal to the competitors and drivers that the safety car will be in the pit lane at the end of the lap.

“At this point, the first car in line behind the safety car may dictate the speed and, if necessary, be more than 10 car lengths behind it.”

The FIA ​​also conceded that it would also give drivers more flexibility to warm up their tyres, should the safety car switch off its lights earlier than usual and accelerate back to the pits to leave the field unencumbered. That option is also available today.