Q3 Change To Avoid Blocking Incidents

The FIA hs made changes to Q3 in an attempt to stop alleged blocking incidents which could cause accidents and impede lap times.

In Sepang, many drivers were crawling back to the pits in an attempt to save fuel.  The McLaren’s did so too, and were on the racing line, blocking Nick Heidfeld on his hotlap.  He had to take action to avoid a 180mph accident.

Many drivers called for changes, most excplicitly Felipe Massa and Nick Heidfeld.

Now the FIA has listened, and on their final “in-lap” the drivers must complete a lap time within 120% of their fastest lap time.

“The matter is under discussion and our clarification to the teams and drivers will be that cars returning to the pits having completed their flying lap or laps will be required to do so within a time that we will set,” An FIA spokesman said.

“This could be approximately 120% of the ‘normal’ time as we do to prevent drivers going very slowly to the grid to save fuel.”

The new rules will start in Bahrain next weekend.