Force India seeks clarification on use of physios
Force India is seeking clarification from the FIA about whether or not physios should be included in Formula 1's staff number limits
Following discussion about the matter before the start of the season, the FIA deemed that physios would only be included in the 60-staff limit only if they were involved in the operation of the car, which included showing a pit board.
Opinion on the matter was divided among teams, though, with some outfits believing that all physios should be included, while others believed their 60-staff limit should not count them at all.
Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, Force India has approached the FIA to ask if all physios should be included.
Force India's deputy team principal Bob Fernley said: "This isn't a complaint against what other teams are doing, but just to seek clarification on what we should and should not do."
The governing body has agreed to discuss the matter before the start of Sunday's race.
Speaking about the matter at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, FIA race director Charlie Whiting said: "There was a division of opinion [among teams] over whether a physio should be included, because it became clear that physios did different things for different teams.
"Some physios would literally only look after the driver, pat him on the head when he wanted it, feed him, give him drink, and hold his umbrella. So how could you say that he was involved in the operation of the car?
"But some of them operated a pit board, or fitted tyre blankets. Those sorts of things.
"I felt that the best interpretation was that if a physio was just doing what everyone would think a physio should be doing, and not doing any other tasks, they should not be counted in the 60. Some teams disagree, but we've made our position clear."
An official stance from the race stewards that all physios should be included in the 60-staff limit would mean that those outfits which did not currently count them would have to revise their staffing allocation.
Previous article
Chinese GP: Red Bull opts for pitlane start for Mark Webber
Next article
Chinese GP: Alonso takes commanding victory for Ferrari
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Teams | Force India |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
The clues Hamilton’s F1 contract afterthought gives to his future
The Formula 1 world reacted with surprise when it learned Lewis Hamilton’s long-awaited new Mercedes deal guarantees his presence on the grid only until the end of 2021. Both parties claimed publicly they were happy with the arrangement but, asks MARK GALLAGHER, is there more to it than that?
How a harshly ejected Red Bull star has been hooked by racing again
Driver-turned-DJ Jaime Alguersuari lost his love for motorsport when he was booted out of Formula 1 just as he was starting to polish his rough edges. Having drifted from category to category then turned his back on racing altogether in 2015, he’s come full circle and is planning a return in karts for fun
Why Mercedes isn't confident it's really ahead of Red Bull at Imola
While Mercedes struck back against Red Bull by topping the times at Imola on Friday ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the overall picture remains incredibly close. Despite having a possible edge this weekend, the reigning Formula 1 world champion squad is not taking anything for granted...
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
