Lando Norris calls for F1 red flag rethink after chaotic Australian GP
McLaren's Lando Norris calls for a "rethink" of F1 red flag procedures following the chaotic Australian GP, suggesting rolling restarts to improve safety and fairness for drivers on the grid.
In the aftermath of the controversy-ridden 2023 Australian Grand Prix, McLaren's Lando Norris has called for a "rethink" of Formula 1's red flag procedures.
He suggests the introduction of rolling restarts to mitigate incidents like those witnessed in Melbourne.
The Australian Grand Prix saw a total of four red flags and three standing starts, culminating in a procession behind the safety car as the race drew to a close.
The decision to restart the race with a standing start on lap 56, leading to a two-lap shootout, was met with criticism as it seemingly encouraged risky overtakes and caused several crashes at Turn 1.
Further controversy arose when the FIA stewards struggled to determine an acceptable starting order for the safety car train, delaying the end of the race.
Norris compared this situation to the 2022 Italian Grand Prix, which concluded behind a safety car amidst boos from the spectators.
Norris Speaks Out Against Standing Restarts
Norris expressed his displeasure with the current red flag procedures, stating, "It's tough, I feel like you can just be so unlucky. I kind of hate it."
He went on to advocate for rolling restarts, arguing that they would be fairer to drivers who perform well but may be taken out of the race due to an accident in Turn 1.
The British driver continued, "I think if we'd just finished behind [the] safety car, it would have been a bit more straightforward."
Norris questioned the fairness of the current system, saying, "In the end, I know it is a show but we're not here to just put on a good show."
"We want to race each other and to be fair and I don't think it's a fair thing for everyone."
The Need for a "Small Rethink"
Norris highlighted the need for a revision of Formula 1's red flag protocol, not a complete overhaul, but a "small rethink."
Norris concluded, "The whole point of red flagging it, it feels like was just to put on a show."
"I just think that side of it, it needs a small rethink. I don't think it needs a change; it just needs a small rethink."
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