Wittich warns F1 drivers not to back off in three corners ahead of qualifying

FIA F1 race director Niels Wittich has instructed drivers not to back off through the blind turns 23 to 25 ahead of qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

In a newly-updated version of the race event notes circulated to all teams on Saturday morning, the race director has warned drivers not to deliberately back off through the fast sequence of corners from turns 23 to 25 in the final sector of the lap in order to create clear air to cars ahead prior to beginning a fast lap attempt.

“Any driver intending to create a gap in front of him in order to get a clear lap should not attempt to
do this around turn 23 through to turn 25,” the direction reads. “Any driver seen to have done this will be reported to the stewards as being in breach of article 33.4 of the Sporting Regulations.”

Article 33.4 refers to driving standards and states that “at no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person.”

The direction is identical to that which former race director Michael Masi gave to teams prior to qualifying for the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in December.

Yesterday four Formula 2 drivers receiving grid penalties in yesterday’s qualifying after they were judged to have impeded rivals on hot laps through the session.

Williams driver Alexander Albon was handed his first driving reprimand of the season following yesterday’s first practice session after being judged guilty of impeding Mick Schumacher’s Haas through the fast sequence of corners between turns four and 12 in the opening sector.

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