As more worries are raised before the Azerbaijan GP, the rift between the FIA and F1 drivers grows.
Yuki Tsunoda and Sebastian Vettel have spoken out against the FIA.
Before this weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, there are no signs that the fight between the FIA and the current Formula One drivers will end in a friendly way. Niels Wittich and Eduardo Fritas, the new race directors, have been criticized by a number of big names on the grid. Their handling of events has made headlines more than once since the start of the new season.
The FIA has already been criticized by a lot of drivers for making inconsistent decisions at Grand Prix weekends. This problem was brought to light after F1’s most recent race on the streets of Monaco earlier this month. Yuki Tsunoda wasn’t happy with how the new race directors were doing their jobs because they didn’t have as much experience as Michael Masi, who was fired after last year’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“I don’t trust the FIA,” says Yuki Tsunoda, who says that the governing body is “inconsistent” in how it applies the rules
Yuki Tsunoda says he no longer trusts the FIA because it is “inconsistent” in how it enforces the rules of sports. The Alpha Tauri driver was confused by the different punishments he got over the course of the season and said he couldn’t figure out why he was being punished.
“I’m not trusting of the FIA. Every time, it’s inconsistent. I already have four reprimands [this season] and last time in Monaco, I still don’t know why. It’s not good to say, but other drivers were doing even worse things [than me] and they didn’t have an investigation. For me, just stick with what the regulation [says], or just the safest as possible to not get into trouble.”
“I mean, it’s not good to talk about what other drivers did, but other drivers did even worse things and aren’t being looked into, while in other races, the FIA was suddenly getting strict or something.
During the Monaco GP, Yuki Tsunoda got his fourth driving-related reprimand of the season. He is now just one reprimand away from getting a grid penalty.
The Japanese driver is very aware of how dangerous his situation is and thinks he will have to be careful during the Azerbaijan GP weekend to avoid any accidents that could get him in trouble.
Tsunoda thinks that the new F1 race directors, Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, don’t have enough experience to enforce the rules of the sport properly. He thought that Michael Masi, a former F1 race director, was much more qualified for the job. He said:
“Michael Masi had more experience, he tried to be consistent and fair as much as possible. For example, white lines and track limits were clearer. [The new race directors] need more time to get used to it or have more experience to make good rules. Until then, I just have to survive and not get a penalty!”
FIA Changes the pit exit rules in Formula One
Before the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, F1 race director Niels Wittich approved a change to the pitlane regulations, allowing drivers to ride the line on entry and exit.
The FIA race director’s notes had said that drivers must remain to one side of the line on pit exit until this weekend’s Baku event.
Previously, touching or over the line would have resulted in a penalty, but this is no longer the case due to a modification in the International Sporting Code made prior of the current season.
Instead, drivers are allowed to ride the line as long as no tyre exceeds the boundary completely.
Ferrari complained both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in Monaco, prompting the clarification.
