Among the news headlines surrounding the first Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi, and the issue of the overdue report into the events surrounding the end of last season’s Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, one announcement that passed under the radar was that Formula One drivers will be subject to new driving standards for the season ahead.
It means that some on-track battles that characterised the increasingly bitter fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton would likely result in much more severe penalties for one or the other were there to be a repeat in 2022.
The responsibility will now be on drivers to essentially police themselves and take responsibility for matters like gaining advantage by leaving the track. Failure to do so, or to behave “properly” whilst fighting for position is likely to see race stewards intervene more frequently.
According to the new code, a driver who is being overtaken must leave sufficient room provided that that the overtaking car has a significant portion alongside it.
Meanwhile, the driver overtaking must do so in a safe and controlled manner, at the same time ensuring that the car remains within the limits of the track.
There is some ambiguity in the new procedures, not least because “significant portion” is not defined. However, there are indications of stewards considering if the front wheels are alongside at the apex of the corner.
The same rules apply to taking on the inside or the outside.
Drivers who short-cut a chicane or a corner will also be expected to give back any places gained by such a manoeuvre voluntarily.
Although the FIA will deny it, some insiders believe that the new proposals are explicitly aimed at Verstappen, often seen prepared to go to extremes either to pass another driver or to fend off attacks from behind.
Drivers have also been warned of the risks of dangerous driving which include going too slow, or driving erratically in a way that could potentially endanger other drivers.
Now more than one change of direction to defend a position will not be allowed.