Formula One's governing body said it had looked into 'procedural issues that occurred at the Japanese Grand Prix and would correct them for the future.
The Paris-based FIA did not spell out what it was referring to but the shortened October 9 race at Suzuka triggered anger and alarm when a recovery tractor was deployed while cars were following the safety car in poor visibility and slippery conditions.
There was also post-race confusion about the scoring system, with Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team, along with most of those present and the global television audience, initially unaware that the Dutch driver had won the championship.
“As stated immediately after the race, the FIA has undertaken a thorough analysis of the incidents which took place at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka,” it said in a statement after a World Motor Sport Council meeting in London.
“Procedural issues have been identified and will be corrected in the short and medium term. The findings will be made public in the coming days.”
AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly had said he was glad to be alive after he sped past the tractor before the red flags were shown to stop the race.
The Frenchman recalled compatriot Jules Bianchi, whose car hit a tractor in similar circumstances at the circuit during the 2014 grand prix. Bianchi died in hospital in July 2015.
“How today can we see a crane, not even in the gravel but on the racetrack while we are still on the track? I don't understand that,” said Gasly, who was penalised by stewards for speeding after the red flags were waved.
“I passed two metres from that crane. If I would have been two metres to the left I would have been dead.”
Other drivers also spoke out in the strongest terms about the incident.
“What happened today just makes me so angry,” said Red Bull's Sergio Perez. “I just hope everybody in the sport will never get to see this situation ever again.”
The scoring confusion was a result of changes made after a farcical rain-hit Belgian Grand Prix last year, with teams including Red Bull wrongly assuming reduced points were to be awarded.
The FIA confirmed next year's record 24-round calendar, with six sprint races.
Safety improvements for 2023 included bigger mirrors for better 'blind spot' visibility and further changes to roll hoops which were strengthened after Alfa Romeo driver Guanyu Zhou's big accident at the British Grand Prix.
• Meanwhile, German luxury sports car brand Porsche is still talking with teams about entering Formula One after discussions with championship leaders Red Bull broke down, the governing FIA said.
Porsche and Red Bull had been discussing a partnership for months but talks ended in September with the team determined to stay independent.
The carmaker said at the time that the series remained “an attractive prospect” it would continue to monitor, with fellow Volkswagen-owned brand Audi already committed to enter from 2026 when engine rules change.
“At Spa-Francorchamps in August, Audi announced it was joining the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2026 as a power unit manufacturer,” the FIA said in a statement after a meeting of its World Motor Sport Council in London.
“This announcement was an endorsement of the hard work by all stakeholders to develop those (new power unit) regulations.
“We also note that Porsche are still in discussions with Formula One teams.”
Porsche was listed in Frankfurt last month in Germany's biggest initial public offering (IPO) in more than 25 years. — Reuters
F1 governing body says it will correct Japanese GP 'issues'
Image: Peter Fox/Getty Images
Formula One's governing body said it had looked into 'procedural issues that occurred at the Japanese Grand Prix and would correct them for the future.
The Paris-based FIA did not spell out what it was referring to but the shortened October 9 race at Suzuka triggered anger and alarm when a recovery tractor was deployed while cars were following the safety car in poor visibility and slippery conditions.
There was also post-race confusion about the scoring system, with Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team, along with most of those present and the global television audience, initially unaware that the Dutch driver had won the championship.
“As stated immediately after the race, the FIA has undertaken a thorough analysis of the incidents which took place at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka,” it said in a statement after a World Motor Sport Council meeting in London.
“Procedural issues have been identified and will be corrected in the short and medium term. The findings will be made public in the coming days.”
AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly had said he was glad to be alive after he sped past the tractor before the red flags were shown to stop the race.
The Frenchman recalled compatriot Jules Bianchi, whose car hit a tractor in similar circumstances at the circuit during the 2014 grand prix. Bianchi died in hospital in July 2015.
“How today can we see a crane, not even in the gravel but on the racetrack while we are still on the track? I don't understand that,” said Gasly, who was penalised by stewards for speeding after the red flags were waved.
“I passed two metres from that crane. If I would have been two metres to the left I would have been dead.”
Other drivers also spoke out in the strongest terms about the incident.
“What happened today just makes me so angry,” said Red Bull's Sergio Perez. “I just hope everybody in the sport will never get to see this situation ever again.”
The scoring confusion was a result of changes made after a farcical rain-hit Belgian Grand Prix last year, with teams including Red Bull wrongly assuming reduced points were to be awarded.
The FIA confirmed next year's record 24-round calendar, with six sprint races.
Safety improvements for 2023 included bigger mirrors for better 'blind spot' visibility and further changes to roll hoops which were strengthened after Alfa Romeo driver Guanyu Zhou's big accident at the British Grand Prix.
• Meanwhile, German luxury sports car brand Porsche is still talking with teams about entering Formula One after discussions with championship leaders Red Bull broke down, the governing FIA said.
Porsche and Red Bull had been discussing a partnership for months but talks ended in September with the team determined to stay independent.
The carmaker said at the time that the series remained “an attractive prospect” it would continue to monitor, with fellow Volkswagen-owned brand Audi already committed to enter from 2026 when engine rules change.
“At Spa-Francorchamps in August, Audi announced it was joining the FIA Formula One World Championship from 2026 as a power unit manufacturer,” the FIA said in a statement after a meeting of its World Motor Sport Council in London.
“This announcement was an endorsement of the hard work by all stakeholders to develop those (new power unit) regulations.
“We also note that Porsche are still in discussions with Formula One teams.”
Porsche was listed in Frankfurt last month in Germany's biggest initial public offering (IPO) in more than 25 years. — Reuters
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Latest Videos
Most Read
Soccer
Soccer
Sport
Sport
Cricket