Russell: F1's red flag rules need changing
Williams driver George Russell has backed calls for changes to be made to Formula 1's red flag rules, after his rivals gained an advantage thanks to race stoppages at the Tuscan Grand Prix.
Just a week after calls were made to tweak some area of the regulations, especially the freedom drivers have to change tyres when races are stopped, Russell says he lost out on points at Mugello because the regulations worked against him.
In particular, he felt Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was able to benefit because he was out of sync on his strategy at the second red flag, and then lucked into a second free pitstop.
"I do agree the biggest thing is the tyre change in the pitstop," explained Russell. "These guys are getting free tyre changes.
"We were on a good strategy, the tyres were great for us and then suddenly people can box and put on whatever tyres they want. They ultimately get a free pitstop.
"I was ahead of Charles. He didn't box, he lucked into the red flag, and then he's ahead of me and can just put a new set of tyres on. So I lost a position to Charles under the red flag."
While the free tyre change element of the red flag rule has been in place for years, the benefits it can offer have only been highlighted in the last two races because there have been three red flags.
Russell felt that, if the FIA was going to use the red flag more frequently, then perhaps it would be right to adapt the regulations.
"If you're going to continue to do this more often, they need work on a couple of rules," he explained.
"You shouldn't be allowed to have a free tyre change as part of the race. You're in the race. You need to stay on the tyres you are on at that time.
"People plan their strategy around a normal race not around races that are getting two red flags in."
The issue of free tyre changes was first highlighted at the Italian Grand Prix when Lance Stroll gained massively from a free tyre change during the Monza race, which left him in second place and on new rubber for the restart.
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
George Russell announces engagement to long-term partner Carmen Montero Mundt
Emerson Fittipaldi explains why Kimi Antonelli-George Russell battle is good for F1
Why this looks like George Russell’s best chance yet at the British GP
MotoGP plans to introduce F1-style budget cap
Jessica Hawkins dismisses F1 strength concerns but flags junior series barrier for female drivers
Mahindra begins Gen4 Formula E testing after two-month delay
Does F1's ADUO system need a rethink? FIA admits to "weaknesses"
Why F1 shouldn’t be hiding its most interesting characters
100 not out: Alex Albon on Williams’s desire to atone for its 2026 struggles
Why it will “take years” for Cadillac to reach the level F1 rivals are operating at
Why Aston Martin is a better destination on the F1 driver market than it seems
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments