F1's virtual safety car system gets green light for 2015 debut

Formula 1 teams and the FIA have given the green light for the introduction of the virtual safety car (VSC) in 2015, following successful late-season tests

F1's virtual safety car system gets green light for 2015 debut

The push for a way of better controlling driver speed followed Jules Bianchi's horrific crash at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Trials of a virtual safety car system - where a speed limit is imposed around the track for incidents that do not require a full safety car - began in United States GP practice.

After initial driver concerns about being distracted by focusing on keeping to the speed limit were eased, the FIA was satisfied that the system could be pushed into use.

The conviction that the VSC was the right way to go was reinforced when trials of a stricter system - that imposed a speed limit in a specific track sector rather than around the whole lap - met with disproval from drivers following a test in Abu Dhabi.

An FIA spokesman said: "Most of the drivers preferred the VSC approach, because [with the single sector] they were concerned about braking from high speed down to the slow speed limit.

"Some drivers were worried they might not see it, and some drivers were worried they might see it too late. And these large differences of speed could cause some difficulties.

"Plus, the fact that there was not a specific line on the track to show drivers where it started could give rise to endless penalties.

"Overall, everyone prefers the VSC approach."

With the FIA happy with the VSC work, it met with teams at the Abu Dhabi GP to gauge opinion over its introduction.

It was decided that the system should come into use for the start of 2015.

Provisional regulations have already been drafted and, once these rules are approved by the teams, then they will be put into the 2015 F1 sporting regulations.

AUTOSPORT understands that to ensure the VSC system does not throw up any unexpected surprises next year, further trial runs will take place at the pre-season tests that begin at Jerez on February 1.

shares
comments

Formula 1 teams called to new costs crisis summit meeting

Ask Gary: Is Alonso poison to teams?

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
GP Racing

The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Jonathan Noble

Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come

How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem

How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Alex Kalinauckas

How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem How the F1 driver expression saga continues to have a Lineker-like problem

Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise

Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Adam Cooper

Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise