FIA hits back at safety car criticisms

The FIA has responded to the criticism from the drivers regarding the 2022 Formula 1 Aston Martin Safety Car. In an official statement, the main governing body of motorsports said:
‘the FIA would like to reiterate that the primary function of the FIA Formula 1 Safety Car is, of course, not outright speed, but the safety of the drivers, marshals and officials.’

The statement by the FIA 

FIA Statement on @F1 Safety Car pic.twitter.com/5p0uHGo6mu

— FIA (@fia) April 14, 2022

 

This comes after World Champion Max Verstappen criticized the Aston Martin Safety Car at the Australian Grand Prix. Verstappen called the car a turtle as he felt that the car was bunching up the field. 

During the Post-race press conference, Charles Leclerc was asked what were his thoughts on the issue, to which the Ferrari driver said “ to be honest, I wanted to complain, but then I checked how much the safety car was sliding in the corner and I don’t think there was anything more that he could give so I didn’t want to push too much pressure. And yeah, it’s the way it is. But yeah, for sure with the cars that we have now it’s very difficult to keep the temperatures in the tyres behind the safety car.”

Podium placed finished George Russell then joked that the Mercedes Safety Car would be quicker . This prompted the internet to come up with memes to mock the Safety Car. 

This isn’t a new trend

Back in 2020, the safety Car Driver Bernd Maylander faced similar issues when Lewis Hamilton had issues with the speed of the Mercedes safety car as well. The Safety car driver responded that his priority was safety of the track. 

 

However it’s really all in the name, The SAFETY car is there to ensure the safety of the marshals and other drivers on track during an incident.  Following the tragic loss of Jules Bianchi during such a recovery, the FIA has moved in the right direction with the safety car protocols. regardless of the noise that the drivers have made and will continue to make.