Safety car rules under scrutiny: is a rule change needed for the fans’ sake?

When the safety car is deployed, drivers who are more than one lap behind the leader are permitted to drop back a lap. According to Article B5.13.5 of the sporting regulations, one more lap must then be completed before safety car driver Bernd Mayländer turns back into the pits and the race can be resumed.

For this reason, the most recent Grand Prix, held at the Silverstone Circuit, finished behind the safety car. This was because Max Verstappen ended up in the gravel trap just a few laps before the chequered flag was waved. The fact that the race didn’t get exciting again at the end sparked discussions about the purpose of the rule, which some questioned. Silverstone winner Charles Leclerc was asked about this in the paddock at Spa-Francorchamps. And he admitted with a laugh: “I was quite happy with the way the race ended at Silverstone.”

“But I think most people would argue that it’s not a good way for a Formula 1 race to end,” the Ferrari star conceded in the same breath. After all, thanks to the overtaking ban that applies behind the safety car, the finishing order is fixed. “I get the feeling that someone is always unhappy, no matter how something like this is handled,” Leclerc pointed out. And he emphasised: “Perhaps we should take a closer look at this rule, which states that you have to complete one more lap after being lapped.”

“But I don’t know if that would really change the situation,” the 28-year-old continued. “I’m sure there are plenty of scenarios where there simply isn’t enough time to clear the track of a stranded car before the chequered flag falls. And then a race inevitably ends behind the safety car. Ultimately, in my opinion, safety should be the priority when it comes to the rules, regardless of how this affects the spectacle.”

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