The FIA have confirmed they are considering revising the controversial force majeure rule during qualifying, which has been at the forefront of attention during two qualifying sessions in particular already this season. The current rule states all cars must return to the pits under their own steam after qualifying.
At the Spanish and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, both Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel were struck with penalties following complications after both cars failed to return to the pits at the end of the qualifying sessions. At the race back in May, Lewis Hamilton secured pole position for McLaren, only for the Briton to coast to a halt on his way back to the pits after the team failed to put enough fuel into his machine. The team explained to the race stewards that they failed to return to the pits due to force majeure, however the race stewards failed to accept this.
Subsequently Lewis Hamilton was relegated to the back of the grid, utterly destroying his race after a fantastic qualifying performance. Last time out at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Sebastian Vettel endured the similar wrath of the rule book after he too stopped on his way back to the pits after initially qualifying 3rd for the race. Although the team informed the race stewards that they stopped due to fears of an engine issue, it was later revealed that not enough fuel was in the car, and the German was also relegated to the back of the grid.
The ruling was brought up during the FIA’s Technical Working Group meeting last week, and it has been revealed that the FIA could be prepared to alter the rules for 2013 with regards to force majeure, with the aim of clearing up any uncertainty surrounding the rule. The change of the rules could see the factor of force majeure eradicated completely, with the car only requiring the correct amount of fuel in the car to be deemed legal.
"We discussed it last week in the Technical Working Group and the consensus of opinion is to remove the term ’force majeure’ and make it clear what is allowed and is not allowed.” Explained race director, Charlie Whiting. “I think we will probably end up with a rule that doesn’t mention force majeure and simply says that if you stop on the circuit you have to have enough fuel in the car. The FIA will calculate how much you would have used if you had completed the lap and, if it does not add up to 1.42 litres or whatever it is, that is that. That is a logical way of going about it, I think."
Although drivers must return to the pits under their own power after qualifying, the rule is slightly different for the race. Once the race has been completed, the drivers can stop on the circuit if they wish, something which has been seen throughout the season once a driver crosses the finish line after the race.
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