Drivers Want Action on F1 Backmarkers

Leading Formula One drivers have urged the sport's governing body to crack down on any Grand Prix stragglers who hold up faster cars trying to lap them this season.

The Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) has asked the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to enforce strictly the blue flags which warn backmarkers that they are about to be lapped, Autosport magazine reported on Thursday.

Jaguar's Australian driver Mark Webber, one of the GPDA directors, said Ferrari's World Champion Michael Schumacher had talked to FIA race director Charlie Whiting before the season's start in Australia next week.

"We want a consistent stance on the situation so that everybody knows the rules before Melbourne," said Webber. "I know Michael has spoken to Charlie and I think this is going to mean a lot more disciplinary action in terms of drivers.

"Although backmarkers are part of the Grand Prix, when the leaders come through we need to make sure it is consistent...we want everyone to sing from the same hymn sheet."

Autosport said the drivers wanted clarification on when backmarkers will be shown the blue flags and how long they have to react before a sanction.

Several incidents triggered concern last season, notably when Williams' Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya was held up at the Italian Grand Prix by the Sauber driven by Germany's Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Montoya finished that race second, behind Schumacher's Ferrari.

McLaren driver David Coulthard said it was crucial that cars about to be lapped were made aware of the situation and responded quickly. Formula One cars lose a significant amount of aerodynamic grip even when running 60 metres behind another due to air turbulence.

"You lose one second in traffic and your race is run, because so much of F1 now is decided in the pitstops and getting out in front of the other guy," Coulthard told the magazine.