Fia Clears Up Flat-spot Issue

[Monty 0]

The FIA has clarified its stance on flat-spotted tyres and assured Formula 1's teams that they will not now be punished for changing them during the course of a race.

McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen crashed out of the European Grand Prix on the last lap after the vibrations from a badly flat-spotted right front tyre caused his suspension to fail.

The teams voiced their concerns to the FIA in the wake of the Finn's shunt.

Although they allowed that Raikkonen had caused the damage through driver error, they were unclear as to whether a dangerous flat-spot constituted a damaged tyre and would thus incur a penalty by the stewards should it be changed.

But the FIA has now sent a rule clarification to the teams according to Autosport's website.

From now on a flat-spotted tyre is considered damaged and can be changed "provided this is not done during a pitstop for the purposes of refuelling," according to an FIA spokesman.

[CC 0]

A tad too late from Kimi's prospective. But the right move from the FIA, they seem to be a on roll now!

[ecapdeville 0]

What would happen if a driver makes a flat spot on purpose when they feel the tyre is loosing grip?

[JayStorm 0]

They would probably investigate it after the race and if the driver was found guilty then...I don't know actually. Good question.

Thanks for this Monty.

JS.

[Senna 0]

Interesting

[SchumiDeSuck 0]

Always slow to react. But when ferrari made a complaint about others, surely they would be punished promptly.

*This message is brought to you by the FIA 'Ferrari International Autosport'.

[Buttonfan 0]

I would have to agree with ecap, because if the driver knows that the tire is loosing grip, they can purposely flat spot it and can change it

[Taku 0]

yes but they cannot refuel, so it would be a hefty penalty on its own just to change. you're looking at at least 20 seconds. good for mclaren, but close to useless for anybody else...

[Buttonfan 0]

that is the only bad thing, they cant refuel at the same time, so that would be bad

[rodders47 2]

yes but they cannot refuel, so it would be a hefty penalty on its own just to change.  you're looking at at least 20 seconds.  good for mclaren, but close to useless for anybody else...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep good point - Just one of the many "TWISTS" that will be exploited in future races !

The teams will surely work on this amendment of this rule, that's guaranteed, and we will have another rule to overcome the short fall of this rule !!

Ho- Hum F1 is getting a bit "TYRESOME" don't you think?

[Buttonfan 0]

Ferrari will be the ones to get the rule changed so that they can do both during the pit stop