Following Monaco Grand Prix last lap last curve drama Michael Schumacher's penalty, the FIA has acknowledge that last-lap Safety Car rules possess 'a lack of clarity' and that modification to the rules are necessary. The seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher was handed a 20-second penalty after the Mercedes driver was judged to have contravened Safety Car regulations in Monaco and the F1 Sporting Working Group will now propose an amendment to the Sporting Regulations, which will subsequently be considered by the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) next month.The matter surrounds the information that green flags and lights were displayed around the circuit after the Safety Car pulled in on the final lap, indicating full racing conditions. but, the rules state that no overtaking is acceptable if the Safety Car has been in use on the last lap.
The FIA now admits that the rule in question must be amended.
'The problems identified during the final lap of the Monaco Grand Prix, counting for the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship, showed a lack of clarity in the application of the rule prohibiting overtaking behind the Safety Car,' reads a Thursday morning statement from the FIA.
'Adjustments to the regulations are necessary to clarify the procedure that cars must meet when the last lap is controlled by the Safety Car whilst also ensuring that the signaling for teams and drivers is made more clear.
These adjustments will help to avoid the problem which occurred during the Monaco Grand Prix from happening in the future.
The Formula One Commission, upon a proposal of the F1 Sporting Working Group will submit an amendment to the Sporting Regulations to address this issue. These amendments will be considered by the World Motor Sport Council at its next meeting in Geneva on June 23.'
