F1 | Wurz and safety: “The drivers should lap instead of the Safety Car”

During the long wait last Sunday in Suzuka, Safety and Medical Car ran the usual laps in the wet to understand what the conditions were and whether there was a way to race. Lewis Hamilton at a certain point opened up on the radio and said "Send us out, in a minute we can tell you the real track conditions". A phrase that has never faded into the background, and Alexander Wurz, president of the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association) found the idea brilliant, and something could probably change in this sense in the future.

“The race director should give the opportunity to do what I call “information laps” – Wurz said ad Motorsport. If the teams agreed, in ten minutes we would send the cars onto the track as if they were deployment laps, and here all the drivers would see the real conditions, with 20 opinions from Formula 1 drivers and those who risk their lives, so the FIA would make a decision with much more detailed information. The Safety Car gives you totally different perceptions, and it would also be better for the stewards in the event of an accident during the race due to fog. With these laps they can also inform us about the current conditions, the race director will have a better picture and millions of spectators around the world will be able to see the real situation with their own eyes."

“The idea came about when Lewis said he can tell you in a minute what the actual track conditions are, just by taking a lap, but he can't tell you anything if he watches TV. And I thought “Gee, he's right!”, But this requires a regulatory and procedural change. We all agree to find a decision, because we are here for our safety, for the sport and for the fans. I want the fans to understand and not think that we have suddenly become slackers. It's not about being labeled crazy, but if you realize that you can't see the cars in front, it's easier to accept the decision to delay. A solution is possible because it would be useful for everyone."