F1 will fix Monaco GP red flag loophole

In brief

F1 stop red flag rule dodges – Domenicali

A red flag on the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix led to an even more processional race than usual as almost every driver used the opportunity to make their mandatory tyre change. Domenicali said the rule will be fixed for future races.

“The track is what it is, our cars are what they are, and it is almost impossible to overtake,” Domenicali told Auto Motor und Sport. “But when there are pit stops during the race, there is also action.

“This year we have a red flag on the first lap, and everyone has automatically made their pit stop. We must not let that happen again. We must anticipate such scenarios better and cover them with the rules.”

Domenicali said the situation in Monaco was an example of how F1’s rules “are generally too complicated.”

“Even on the sporting side,” he added. “Nobody understands the penalty system.”

Perez deal was for “stability” – Marko

Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko says the team opted to extend Sergio Perez’s contract in order to calm the situation at the team.

“We extended his contract because we wanted to bring some stability to our team, which unfortunately didn’t quite work out,” he told OE24.

Perez has scored just four points in the last three races, and retired twice. “Now Checo has three races on three real race tracks ahead of him, where he can prove himself,” Marko added.

Extra checks for pair after Canada

Yuki Tsunoda and Esteban Ocon’s cars were selected at random for further inspections following the Canadian Grand Prix. The checks involved an array of different software settings and versions, and the RB and Alpine both passed.

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to Julie, M744All and Erivaldo Moreira!

On this day in motorsport

• 25 years ago today Gil de Ferran won the CART IndyCar race at Portland ahead of points leader Juan Pablo Montoya