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F1 | The aftermath of the Belgian GP may lead to rule changes to avoid similar chaos in the future

FIA and teams are going to discuss rule changes after a very chaotic 2021 Belgian GP.

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F1 | The aftermath of the Belgian GP may lead to rule changes to avoid similar chaos in the future
Fuente imagen: Motorlat - Hasan Bratic

After a chaotic Belgian GP, Formula One stakeholders are set to review and discuss the events of Sunday’s race and address what could be changed in the current rules.

Sunday’s Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps was a race with no real racing. However, according to current F1 regulations, it is enough to complete two-laps – even behind the safety car – to be awarded half the points of a normal GP.

Several drivers criticised the decision of awarding points despite no green-flag running had taken place. 

Fifth-placed fifth-placed Sebastian Vettel, who was already furious after Saturday’s qualifying sessions, described the GP as “a joke”; while Fernando Alonso, who finished 11th, called the decision “shocking”.

As heavy rain pelted the circuit for hours, with fans on the grandstands waiting and getting soaked up, only one formation lap and three laps of running were completed, all behind the Safety Car.

In all other automotive series, green flag running is required to be completed before points can be awarded. Yet, this is not the case in F1.

This meant that the finishing order of qualifying settled the race result with pole-sitter Max Verstappen taking the win, Williams' George Russell obtaining his first podium finish in F1 and Lewis Hamilton coming third.

Race-director Michael Masi, who was the unfortunate protagonist of the weekend due to his wrong decisions both on Saturday – for not red-flagging Qualifying – and on Sunday, was asked by RaceFans to comment on the matter.

“I think after this weekend and at our next meeting for next year, we’ll look at a whole lot of things that we can all look at to see what everyone wants.

“We’re at one of those points that the FIA works with all 10 teams in F1 to develop the regulations. And so we’ll go through all the various scenarios and see what everyone thinks.”

Any rules changes could come into force for next year providing teams are in agreement. “There is very much collaboration and a willingness to improve from everyone involved,” said Masi. “So if that’s the desired approach, then we’ll look and consider everything and then each and every matter is dealt with on its merits.”

In the meantime, let’s hope the upcoming Dutch GP will be more entertaining.

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