Macau Moves to Speed Up Event
Macau Grand Prix organisers have amended their regulations to help speed up the action if any of their prestigious Formula Three races are stopped by accidents
The changes follow the latest Formula One rules on which all the sporting regulations for the Macau Formula Three Grand Prix are based. The pressure to run to time throughout the weekend will be increased this season, as the weekend also plays host to the final round of the World Touring Car Championship.
Macau's tight and twist street circuit can be notorious for causing track-blocking accidents. With no championship considerations to worry, drivers go all-out in pursuit of the winner-takes-all victory, with the side effect of crashes and safety car periods.
This year, if the clerk of the course decides that the race must be stopped, the red flag will be shown at all points around the circuit, indicating to drivers they must stop racing immediately.
Previously, drivers would then proceed to the pits slowly, wait while the track is cleared and for officials re-start the race. The start procedure would then begin again, with a warm-up lap, grid formation, and the re-start.
The new regulations begin when the red flags are shown. Instead of returning to the pits, drivers will slowly proceed in order until indicated to stop at a location decided by the race officials, which will be the nearest practicable point.
The point where they stop will be known as the red-flag line. The cars line up in single file behind the line in the order they were in when the red flags were shown.
Team personnel may then work on the cars, and race officials will give ten minutes' notice of the restart, after which the race will start behind the Safety Car, which will lead the field for one lap before pulling off allowing the racing to resume.
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