F1 drivers are calling for an urgent meeting with the FIA to address the interpretation of racing guidelines. Carlos Sainz, a Williams driver and director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA), has expressed his concerns about the 10-second penalty imposed on McLaren's Oscar Piastri during the Brazilian Grand Prix. Sainz believes that Piastri's collision with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, which resulted in a crash involving Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, was not his fault.
Sainz highlights a pattern of inconsistent penalties this year, including incidents involving Liam Lawson and Oliver Bearman. He questions the fairness of penalties, stating that drivers should not be penalized for incidents they could not have prevented. The issue lies in the interpretation of the driving standards guidelines, which were issued by the FIA and consulted with drivers but not approved by the GPDA before publication.
The drivers' frustration stems from the strict application of guidelines without considering common sense and the experience of wheel-to-wheel racing. Piastri's penalty was justified by his failure to comply with the requirement to keep his front axle alongside Antonelli's wing mirror and his locked brakes, which were deemed out of control. However, Sainz argues that locked brakes do not always indicate a lack of control and that stewards should interpret such situations more flexibly.
GPDA director George Russell supports the need for guidelines but emphasizes the importance of treating each corner and incident differently. He suggests that the FIA should introduce a permanent set of stewards to improve the situation. The FIA's approach is described as open-minded, aiming to work together with drivers to find solutions, rather than a confrontational 'you versus us' stance.
The meeting between drivers and stewards at the Qatar Grand Prix will focus on reviewing incidents that drivers feel require re-evaluation, aiming to establish clearer and more consistent rules for the sport.
