FIA clamps down on drying F1 grid slots

Force India in particular was upset after it spotted several teams using fans to dry their grid spots at Sepang following the morning rain.

This was a breach of article 22.3 of F1’s sporting regulations which state: “Other than by driving on the track, competitors are not permitted to attempt to alter the grip of any part of the track surface."

Teams that were spotted drying their grid spots in Sepang were advised by officials to stop doing so, but the matter was not reported to the race stewards because it was felt not to be a serious enough rules breach.

Furthermore, there had been some confusion from teams that had been drying their spots because at last year’s damp Japanese GP the FIA had allowed teams to do so – so they had been under the impression that such permission carried forward.

In a bid to clear up the matter, however, the FIA has notified teams that from now on they will not be allowed to dry their grid spots.

However, there could be situations where the FIA does make special exceptions, but this will be done on a case-by-case basis - and all teams will be informed if it happens.

Force India COO Otmar Szafaneur remains unhappy that action was not taken against the teams that had dried their slots in Malaysia, and has warned that if there is a repeat scenario in the future then his outfit would likely take the matter further.

“Maybe next time we will protest,” he said. “We will take it out of the hands of the people here and put it in the hands of the stewards and, if necessary, the Court of Appeal.

"If there is no punishment, then is there no incentive not to do it again.”