Opinion: Should Tyres Be Changed During A Red Flag

Ok, so I wrote a draft version of this article on a plane to San Francisco. I then rewrote it a few days later while waiting in the airport for a flight to New York City. I'm not sure if you need to know this information, but for context, if it doesn't make sense, I'm exhausted and over dramatic when it comes to suffering with jet lag so please don't turn it off because you don't know what the heck I'm going to say next.

So, red flags. Every red flag period during a race we find ourselves having the same discussion time and time again - "should teams really be allowed to change tyres during a red flag?"

Some fans will see no problem with this and other's may view it as an unfair advantage. Either way, it's a regulation, if you could call it that, that looks as if it here's to stay.

For any newbies to the sport, a red flag is shown when the race needs to be halted due to dangerous track conditions. This could be due to a crash, the weather or a technical fault amongst others. If you're interested, Wikipedia has a list of every red flag period in the history of F1.

In recent years, especially, a number of drivers have fallen victim to loosing out during a red flag. Remember the 2020 Italian Grand Prix? I'm sure Carlos Sainz does. He was driving for McLaren at the time when a late race red flag cost him his first victory in Formula One. However, for Pierre Gasly in his Alpha Tauri, the red flag was shown at the right time as he was yet to pit for new boots. Effectively, the red flag gave him a "free pit stop" - where he could change tyres without loosing position. Therefore, he continued to lead and won the race. For Sainz, however, without the red flag he would have won. And we all remember his now infamous quote from that race. "I want this win, Tom." But alas, the Spaniard had to settle for 2nd. Is that really fair?

When it comes to all forms of motorsport in can, at times, be luck of the draw. Is it fair that a driver can have a DNF through no fault of his or her's own? Of course not but it's motorsport and in some ways, this tyre regulation during a red flag is, in a way, the same scenario. It's just one of those things, right?

The obvious frustration drivers show when loosing out this way is understandable. And, for fans, seeing their favourite drivers drop down the order because of this is heartbreaking. There is no other way to describe it. However, in a more positive light, it can turn a boring race around. It can give motorsport fans what they want - an adrenaline packed motor race.

As a self proclaimed Sainz fan, I'm more than happy to admit that THAT Italian GP in 2020 was indeed frustrating and would have probably been at the front of a picket line in favour of abolishing this tyre reg. But, I don't think it needs abolishing. Maybe it's more in need of a review and a slight tweak. Should drivers still have to make a mandatory pit stop whether there's a red flag or not? It's an idea that the FIA while probably never consider.

In the meantime, let's enjoy the racing that this regulation gives us, at times. That's what motorsport is about right? The adreneline and element of surprise. That's what we're here for, right?

Tell me, what's your opinion on this matter?

Opinion: Was Carlos Sainz‘s Time Penalty Fair?

You may be aware that there was a very chaotic Australian Grand Prix that took place over the weekend and with it came the never ending debate over the FIA's inconsistency when it comes to in race penalties. And, yes, as the title suggests, I'm talking about THAT 5 second time penalty. The one for Ferrari driver, Carlos Sainz, that he received towards the end of the race during one of the many red flag periods.

Let's start by rewinding back to lap 54. Haas driver Kevin Magnussen has stopped out on track after a clash with the barrier that has bought out the red flag for a second time. All the drivers therefore head back to the pits. The race restarts with one racing lap remaining but is quickly suspended again after carnage at the first corner.

Carlos Sainz tags his compatriot; Fernando Alonso which causes a chain reaction of events throughout the field. Pierre Gasly tries to avoid the initial contact and collides with his teammate, ending both of their races. Sergio Perez in the Red Bull also takes avaisive action but manages to get through ok. The same isn't said for Logan Sargaent and Nyck de Vries at the back of the field who both find themselves stuck in the gravel traps and out of the race. Should Sainz be held accountable for all of this? In normal race conditions, quite possibly. This, however, was far from normal.

With the red flag waving once again and only one racing lap remaining; the FIA seemed adamant the race would continue. However, the grid would be reset to the order at the last restart which leads us to the main discussion in this article - was Sainz's 5-second time penalty fair? The driver himself didn't think so.

After the Spaniard was told of the penalty during the final hiatus, he vented over team radio:

"No, it cannot be. Why is this me out of the points. No it’s unacceptable. They need to wait until the race is finished. No! They need to wait to discuss with me. The penalty is too severe!"

With Sainz in P4 and the field all bunched together with one lap remaining under safety car, his fantastic race to finish in the points had been undone. His frustration was understandable, especially as the previous lap had been effectively voided with everyone restarting, bar those who had crashed out, in their previous positions.

His mood was no better after the chequered flag was waved. He even cut his interview with Sky Sports F1 short telling them:

"I prefer not to talk right now, I'm too disappointed. It's the most unfair penalty I've seen in my life. I prefer to talk to the stewards now and then come back to you."

Other drivers, and ex-drivers came to Sainz's defence. Alonso, who was tagged by Sainz in the carnage, thought the penalty to be "too harsh."

"I think because on lap one it is very difficult always to judge what the grip level [is] and I think we don’t go intentionally into another car, you know, because we know that we risk also our car and our final position, so sometimes you end up in places that you wish you were not there in that moment."

Ex-driver Martin Brundle said on Twitter:

"That’s an inconsistent penalty for Sainz from a standing start in the early corners."

But not everyone came to the Spaniard's defence. Another twitter post, this time from ex-Williams reserve driver Jack Aitken read:

"For everyone asking why a penalty was applied even though the “lap didn’t happen”, it did! It was part of the race distance. And what’s more, it doesn’t matter. If you break the rules on a formation lap or on the way to the grid, you will still be penalised."

In short, everyone seems to have their own opinions on the matter and that's okay. What we can all agree on, however, is that the FIA are still extremely inconsistent with their penalties.

Do I think Sainz's penalty to be unfair? 100%. In my eyes, it was a racing incident and I'm not saying that as a Sainz fan. Effectively, the lap doesn't exist and the drivers were reinstated their positions. Of course, that didn't help those who crashed or got stuck in the gravel and couldn't restart the final lap but that's just one of those things. It's motorsport. Incidents happen. The issue with the penalty is the FIA. And, with multiple incidents in the past, surely it's time they studied their own rule book and kept things consistent? It's easier said than done.

Race Report: Australian Grand Prix 2023

Remember the days when the Australian Grand Prix was the season opener? Well, those days are gone and this year the race down under was number three in what is a jam-packed F1 season.

Taking place at the iconic Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, this year's Australian GP did not disappoint. Although, some drivers may beg to differ. So what went on? Keep on reading to find out!

Before the race had even began, the weekend itself already had it's fair share of drama. From spins, brushes against the wall, tyres, weather and wildlife; what else could Australia have in store for us? Well, a lot apparently.

To no surprise, Red Bull's Max Verstappen was on pole with the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton starting in 2nd and 3rd behind him. Verstappen's teammate, Sergio Perez, had a nightmare qualifying session after a lock up left him stuck in the gravel at turn three. It would be a pit lane start for the Mexican destroying all hopes of an all Red Bull front row start.

Race day was sunny, the beginning of Autumn. Eighteen cars were lined up on the grid, the final two in the pit lane. The all important five red lights came on and then it was lights out and away we go.

Verstappen has a decent start but so do both of the Mercedes drivers who manage to get past the Dutchman all before turn three. Further back, at the same corner, it's all over for Ferrari's Charles Leclerc who spins off into the gravel after contact with Lance Stroll bringing out an early safety car. Esteban Ocon, Logan Sargeant, Perez and both Alfa Romeo drivers of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu take the opportunity to pit, disposing of the tyres they started the race with.

As quickly as the safety car was deployed, it's time for it to come in again. Russell and Hamilton, again, have fantastic starts and manage to keep Verstappen at bay. But things aren't as good as it seems at Mercedes with the team asking Russell to "manage." Russell, not happy with this instruction replies "you're asking me to manage when I'm being attacked by my own team mate!"

With the help of DRS, Hamilton is quickly reigning his teammate in.

Lap 7 and the safety car makes a reappearance. Alex Albon in the Williams has lost it at turn 7 with quite a shunt. Russell pits from the lead with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz joining him. However, this turns into a costly error for the pair as the race is red flagged and those who are yet to pit, including Hamilton and Verstappen, now find themselves in a pretty good position.

With everyone on fresh tyres, the race resumes with a standing start. Hamilton leads the field away but Verstappen is closing in. Sainz, who restarts in 11th after his badly timed pit stop, gets away well and starts to pick off the drivers ahead one by one, starting with the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Back at the front, Verstappen finds himself with the aid of DRS and wastes no time in taking the lead from Hamilton. Less than two laps later and he's already pulled a gap of 2+ seconds.

Verstappen and the rest of the field are soon slowed down thanks to a virtual safety car caused by Russell and his Mercedes which has flames billowing from the exhaust. He pulls over at the end of the pit lane and the car is quickly recovered.

Racing is back under way, again, by lap 20 and Hamilton is concerned about the fast paced Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso creeping up behind him. "Alonso is pretty quick, I don't know if these tyres will make it to the end," Hamilton tells his team over radio.

Not too far behind Hamilton in 4th is Pierre Gasly in his Alpine defending well from faster cars behind. Sainz attempts a move on Gasly around the outside but quickly switches to the inside with success and takes 4th from the Frenchman. Perez, in the second Red Bull, is also doing a decent job making his way through the pack. He's up to 10th and into the points. Unsurprisingly, with the pace Red Bull have shown so far this season.

Lap 29. Halfway through the race. Verstappen is way out front with the fastest lap. Hamilton and Alonso, in 2nd and 3rd respectively, can't find a way to close the gap to the reigning World Champion. Alonso, however, is clinging on to Hamilton, pushing him so he uses his tyres. The gap between the pair is at 1.7 seconds.

After a quiet 10 or so laps, Hamilton starts to pull a gap to Alonso. But it's Gasly in 5th that's the one to watch. With the help of DRS he's clinging onto the Ferrari in front and keeping the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll at bay. At the front, Verstappen is starting to catch the back markers, lapping them in the process. The other Red Bull; Perez, is now up to 7th after passing Haas driver; Nico Hulkenberg. Despite this, he has been on the radio complaining of tyre deg.

There's a moment for Verstappen on lap 48 when he experiences some front locking which leaves him trundling along the grass. But, because he's so far ahead of P2, his lead isn't under threat and he carries on as if nothing has happened.

Less than 10 laps to go and things are getting spicy in the mid-field between Norris and Hulkenberg with the latter closing the door on the McLaren several times over the course of a few laps. Norris finally gets past the Haas on lap 52. In the process, Hulkenberg gets onto the tyre marbles and takes a trip through the gravel before continuing on in 9th.

Yellow flags start to wave on lap 54 and Hulkenberg's teammate; Kevin Magnussen is slowing. He only seems to be running on three wheels attached to the car with the fourth in the middle of the track. He's clattered the wall and the safety car has been deployed yet again. But, with some drivers complaining of debris on the track, the decision has been made; the red flag is thrown out for a second time.

With only 1 racing lap remaining, questions were being asked as to whether the race would continue. At 16:56 local time, our questions were answered and the drivers followed the safety car out of the pits ready for the restart.

Every driver left in the race lined up on the grid, all with soft tyres bolted to their cars. And, for a third time they were off!

Leader, Verstappen, has another clean get away but it isn't the same for those behind. Sainz clips Alonso at turn one causing the Aston Martin driver to spin. Gasly tries to avoid this but ends up collecting his teammate with both of them hurtling towards the barriers. Sargaent is also out and is joined by Nyck de Vries in his Alpha Tauri. Perez also had to take evasive action, running over the gravel but continues to run down in 10th. In the midst of all the chaos, the red flag is back for it's third appearance of the day. Alonso is quick to ask his team as to whether the current order will stand or if they'll go back to the previous lap. It all rests on the stewards shoulders as they investigate as to whether the drivers completed the necessary sector or not. Surprisingly, the race was to be resumed with the previous order, minus those who had crashed out at the previous restart.

Once again, the safety car leads the drivers on a "formation lap." This would also be the last lap. The chequered flag would be out waiting for them once the safety car peeled into the pits.

You'd think this would be the end but alas, it's not. A five-second penalty is given to Sainz on the last lap for the carnage at the first corner. If everyone bunches up enough, Sainz could be out of the points.

The race finally ends with 12 cars crossing the finish line. Verstappen takes another victory, his first at Australia. Sainz, furious with the penalty, drops from 4th to 12th which promotes Yuki Tsunoda into the points for the first time this season. Hulkenberg stops on track during the cool down lap. Ironically, this brings out the red flag again.

Hamilton and Alonso join Verstappen on the podium. Rounding out the top ten was Stroll, Perez, Norris, Piastri, Hulkenberg, Zhou and Tsunoda.

Phew, that was a long one with three red flags, numerous safety cars and a virtual safety car, multiple crashes and incidents, three different leaders and plenty of on-track action. And, people say F1 is boring? At least there's a few weeks to recover now before madness in Baku. See you then!