Jonathan Noble of Autosport magazine Thursday wrote that Charlie Whiting, Formula 1's race direvtor has advised the teams of new driving standards guidelines in relation to defending positions.
Article 20.3 of the 2012 Formula One Sporting Regulations states: “More than one change of direction to defend a position is not permitted. Any driver moving back towards the racing line, having earlier defended his position off‐line, should leave at least one car width between his own car and the edge of the track on the approach to the corner.”
In the note sent to all the team a few hours before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a copy of which has been seen by Autosport, Whiting said that "any driver defending his position on a straight and before any braking area may use the full width of the track during his first move provided no significant portion of the car attempting to pass is alongside his. Whilst defending in this way the driver may not leave the track without justifiable reason."
To further clarify the situation he later added: "For the avoidance of doubt, if any part of the front wing of the car attempting to pass is alongside the rear wheel of the car in front this will be deemed to be a 'significant portion'."
Article 20.3 of the 2012 Formula One Sporting Regulations states: “More than one change of direction to defend a position is not permitted. Any driver moving back towards the racing line, having earlier defended his position off‐line, should leave at least one car width between his own car and the edge of the track on the approach to the corner.”
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| Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus) and Lewis Hamilton (McLaren). (Photo: Pirelli) |
In the note sent to all the team a few hours before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a copy of which has been seen by Autosport, Whiting said that "any driver defending his position on a straight and before any braking area may use the full width of the track during his first move provided no significant portion of the car attempting to pass is alongside his. Whilst defending in this way the driver may not leave the track without justifiable reason."
To further clarify the situation he later added: "For the avoidance of doubt, if any part of the front wing of the car attempting to pass is alongside the rear wheel of the car in front this will be deemed to be a 'significant portion'."