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F1: Maximum laptime for slow laps in Monaco

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Khatir Soltani
From GMM

The FIA has told drivers to keep driving quickly when they are not on flying laps this weekend in Monaco.

The news is reportedly a response to fears the 24-car field, including six very slow cars, will lead to traffic chaos in the initial 20-minute Q1 qualifying session.

Brazil's Globo reports that the FIA has based the new maximum warm-up and slow-down laptime on the pace of the struggling HRTs.

Drivers will have to travel between the first and last corner no slower than 1 minute 22 seconds - about 7 seconds off the ultimate pace this weekend - to avoid stewards penalties.

However, 1982 world champion Keke Rosberg has admitted a lack of patience with all the complaining about likely qualifying traffic this weekend.

"Gimme a break!" he is quoted as saying by The Independent.

"There used to be 26 drivers out there in the old days, and half of them were slow, not just half a dozen!"

Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada