F1 drivers call for wider pitlanes to avoid injury
Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez say Formula 1 and the FIA should consider making pitlanes wider and longer to avoid dangerous incidents such as they endured at Zandvoort this month.
In the 2022 Dutch Grand Prix, Perez ran over a Ferrari wheelgun that had ended up in his path while Sainz suffered a slow service and later in the same event the Ferrari driver was forced to brake when leaving his pitbox to avoid hitting a McLaren mechanic ahead.
That resulted in Sainz getting an unsafe release penalty and he later called for F1 pitlane layouts to be reviewed to avoid such incidents in the future.
With the championship returning to a track with a tight pitlane at this weekend’s Singapore GP, Sainz and Perez suggested their teams had not implemented any pitstop procedure changes as a result of the Zandvoort issues.
But when asked about the recent problems by Autosport, they renewed calls for a pitlane size review and Sainz put forward ideas for F1’s key stakeholders to consider.
“For me, it’s not the pitcrews or the F1 teams that really need to make changes,” he said.
“It’s the FIA and F1 organisation –they need to find a solution to these types of pitlanes.
“One day, there is going to be an accident. One day, there is going to be a human [that is] hurt because of how tight everything is when there is a safety car and we are all pitting at the same time like in Budapest a year ago when we pitted on the formation lap.
“[Or] in Zandvoort when the safety car came out [and] it was chaos. We need to find a solution because I feel like we are putting someone’s health at risk.
“Circuits get homologated and if in order to get homologated we need a wider pitlane and longer pitlane to have space in between cars, we need to make sure that happens.
“But I know logistically and technically it’s not easy for the circuits, but I was in a pretty scary situation in Zandvoort and it could happen any time soon.
“It’s something that’s a matter that we need to raise between the FIA, F1. Obviously, the teams can help to come up with solutions, but let’s see.”
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari F1-75, in the pits
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Perez said F1 drivers and their teams are “put in this situation by the circuits, basically”.
“So, it’s something that has to be reviewed and hopefully we can make it better,” he added.
“Because simply there is so much space we can have and that is not enough.
“If something goes wrong at a pitstop from another team, then there is just no room for it to be avoidable.”
Latifi accepts Williams release decision, struggled to adapt to 2022 car
Red Bull considers action over F1 rivals' "defamatory" cost cap claims
Why WTR Acura lacked pace to beat MSR in Daytona 24 showdown
Filipe Albuquerque admits that he knew it would be a tall order for Wayne Taylor Racing to overcome sister Acura squad Meyer Shank Racing in last weekend's Daytona 24 Hours.
How MSR took Acura to the first win of sportscar racing's new era
After much anticipation, the new dawn for sportscar racing got underway with a result that mirrored last year's IMSA SportsCar Championship's season-opener run to the previous DPi rules. Here's how Acura once again took top honours in the Daytona 24 Hours with a 1-2 led by Meyer Shank Racing, as the new GTP class for LMDh hybrid prototypes made its bow
Alonso's pushy trait a boost for me in 2023 F1 season, says Stroll
Aston Martin Formula 1 driver Lance Stroll says Fernando Alonso's pushy nature will be a boost to both him and the squad this year.
Porsche aims to “learn quick” from Daytona 24 Hours disappointment
Porsche’s director of factory racing Urs Kuratle says his team will gain valuable answers from its disappointing results in the Daytona 24 Hours.
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Are these the 50 quickest drivers in F1 history?
Who are the quickest drivers in Formula 1 history? LUKE SMITH asked a jury of experienced and international panel of experts and F1 insiders. Some of them have worked closely with F1’s fastest-ever drivers – so who better to vote on our all-time top 50? We’re talking all-out speed here rather than size of trophy cabinet, so the results may surprise you…
One easy way the FIA could instantly improve F1
OPINION: During what is traditionally a very quiet time of year in the Formula 1 news cycle, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been generating headlines. He’s been commenting on massive topics in a championship that loves them, but also addressing necessary smaller changes too. Here we suggest a further refinement that would be a big boon to fans
How can McLaren keep hold of Norris?
Lando Norris is no longer the young cheeky-chappy at McLaren; he’s now the established ace. And F1's big guns will come calling if the team can’t give him a competitive car. Here's what the team needs to do to retain its prize asset
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.