Big names back F1’s clampdown on braking area moves

Max Verstappen’s controversial defensive moves in Hungary and Suzuka have shone a spotlight on the subject, and after heated discussions in drivers’ briefings at several races Charlie Whiting issued a clarification that said “abnormal” moves in the braking zone would be reported to the stewards.

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button made it clear that during most of their time in F1 there has always been an understanding between drivers, but that had changed recently.

“In 10 years that I have been in F1, it has been the same rule that all us drivers understand,” said Hamilton.

“And it is only newcomers who have come in and [are] not abiding by that same rule that we have always shared for many, many years.

"Racing with Michael [Schumacher] we had the same rule… so it will be interesting to see some of the drivers who have come in and have chosen a different route and have a different opinion, but it is about the respect we have for one another.

“We are travelling at serious speed, so commit to your defence, but don’t do it while under braking. It is great that Charlie has understood the majority of drivers’s opinions.

"The rules have to be very strict and clear because otherwise, if they say you are allowed to move under braking then everyone will do it.

"And we will all start a new way of driving which is dangerous and eventually, you look at IndyCar for example, those guys are at high speed and one twitch and a car goes flying. So it is definitely for the right way.”

Button added: “I think this is the correct ruling. We started a long time ago in this sport, and I think there’s always been a good understanding that it’s incorrect to move in the braking zone when somebody’s trying to overtake, because when you’re trying to overtake, everything’s on the limit.

"You’re on the limit, you’re pushing the boundaries, you’re on the edge of [being] out-of-control.

“As soon as somebody moves in front of you and takes the space you were aiming for, you’re screwed. You’re either going to go over the top of them or you’re going to miss them, and end up in the barriers.

"It’s common sense more than anything else, and for 15 years of racing, we haven’t really had any issues. it’s just the last couple of years we have. Now it’s clear, they’ve clarified it, and I’m happy about that.”

Clarification was needed

Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel also agreed that the risk of a major accident was becoming too great.

“For sure it’s something that needs to be addressed, because it’s a very high risk situation,” said Rosberg.

“It’s very, very difficult for the guy behind to avoid an accident in such a case because the guy behind is going for the lunge and is on the absolute limit. He can’t steer any more because he’s on the limit. So I think it’s good that it’s being addressed.”

Vettel explained: “The day I joined F1 it was clear, it was a sort of unwritten law, and I think the recent times obviously we’ve had situations and got away with it. For sure then the message is everybody is starting to do it, which is the wrong thing.

“We spoke about it yesterday [in the briefing], we were just waiting for something to happen, and therefore it’s a good action to look into these things.”

Fernando Alonso, meanwhile, suggested that the rule had always been understood between drivers, likening it to the hand ball rule in football.

“It was clear before, and it’s clear now,” said the Spaniard.

“In football, when you take the ball with the hand inside the area, it’s a penalty. Sometimes the referee gives you the penalty, and sometimes not.

"This, it was clear before and sometimes they give a penalty, and sometimes they don’t give anything.”