A recent meeting called by FIA Sporting Commissioner Garry Connelly to discuss potential improvements to penalties in Formula 1 saw a less-than-enthusiastic response from drivers. The meeting, held ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix, was designed to address concerns about track limit violations and assess whether stricter penalties for accidents were warranted.
The debate over track limits had intensified following adjustments made by the FIA during the Texas Grand Prix weekend, which left some drivers frustrated. While some drivers felt there should be strict limits, others believed that discipline should be enough to deter violations.
During the meeting, specific incidents were reviewed, including Lewis Hamilton’s apparent track limit violations during the Texas sprint and Sergio Perez’s rule infringement in the grand prix. In both cases, the onboard camera footage was deemed insufficient to warrant penalties.
The meeting also delved into other contentious issues, such as Lance Stroll’s overtake of Pierre Gasly at Silverstone, which occurred when Stroll went beyond the track limits but avoided punishment. Furthermore, discussions covered accidents that resulted in the loss of world championship points.
For example, Lando Norris received a reprimand in Canada for creating space under the safety car to avoid queuing for pit stops, along with an “unsportsmanlike behavior” charge. In contrast, Charles Leclerc was accused of a similar maneuver in Singapore without facing any penalties.
The meeting also questioned whether harsher penalties should be imposed on drivers who push their rivals further down the grid due to their actions.
However, the disappointing turnout at the meeting in Mexico City highlighted a lack of engagement or enthusiasm from the drivers, leaving the discussions somewhat unresolved.
