Formula 1 skids and forbids a historic celebration

Crossing the checkered flag is an achievement for a driver but also for the mechanics and engineers who are part of his team. For this reason, as when a footballer climbs over a fence to celebrate a goal, in motor sports it is customary to climb the pit wall to shake his right fist as the winning car passes. However, that traditional and historic celebration will conclude in Formula 1 from this Sunday.

In Albert Park, where the Australian Grand PrixAnyone who goes up to celebrate in the defense that separates the track from the pit lane will be sanctioned, as announced to the teams by F1 race director Niels Wittich. “It is forbidden to climb over the fence at any time”was the message the teams received ahead of the race.

The decision, as reported, is due to what happened two weeks ago in Saudi Arabian GPwhere members of the Red Bull teams (Checo Pérez and Max Verstappen made it 1-2) and Aston Martin were seen on the Jeddah street circuit fence, after Fernando Alonso finished third, a position which was confirmed after a knock and response regarding a fine. Something similar happened at the first round of the season in Bahrain.

However, Wittich’s decision is not revolutionary: will only apply what the FIA ​​International Sporting Code says.

In Article 2.3.2 of Appendix H it is specified that “Staff are prohibited from climbing over the low wall barriers at any time. Any action by a team in violation of this prohibition will be reported to the stewards.”.

In the end, they will decide whether it is necessary to impose a finewhich won’t be sporty at all but could be cheap in budget-constrained F1 from 2021.

There it is also clarified that “team personnel are only allowed in the pit lane immediately before they are called to work on a car and must leave as soon as the work has been completed”.

The goal of this new position is none other than the safety. Why? For the possibility that a person falls on the track where the cars go at more than 300 km/h and also for the possibility that someone hanging on the pit wall could drop something that could damage the drivers at speed.

What team members will be able to do is peeking through the largest cracks in the pit wall protection systemswhich are nothing more than those necessary and willing openings to show the drivers the blackboards, for example with their lap times.

An important fact is that the race chosen by F1 to remember this rule is the one that takes place on a circuit with FIA ​​Grade 1 certification where the main straight is covered in thick glass panels rather than metal fences with barsso there are no footholds, making Melbourne on a wall that is impossible to climb.