Formula One race director Niels Wittich has clarified the pit exit rules for the Azerbaijan GP after the controversy in Monaco.
Formula One race director Niels Wittich clarified the pit exit rules for the Azerbaijan GP after the controversy in Monaco.
During the race in Monte Carlo, Max Verstappen touched the yellow line with his left front tire when he returned to the wet track on slick tires.
This resulted in a protest from Ferrari, which pointed to the text of director Eduardo Freitas in its event notes saying that drivers should "keep to the right of the solid yellow line."
However, Verstappen was not punished, with Chapter 4, Articles 4 and 5 of Appendix L of the International Sporting Code (ISC) stating that the Dutchman's tire would need to have "crossed" the line for a penalty to be considered.
Prior to the weekend in Baku, Wittich clarified that drivers must respect ISC rules regarding pit lanes exit and entry lines.
He wrote: "According to Chapter 4, Articles 4 and 5 of Appendix L of the ISC, drivers must follow the procedures when entering and exiting the pits.
This is a clear change from Freitas' notes before Monaco, and considering the decision of the commissioners in the principality, suggests that drivers can touch the pit exit line, but not cross it when returning to the track.