🤔Does F1’s driver warning system need an overhaul?

Perhaps it was typical of Valtteri Bottas’s luck in 2020 that a race in which he qualified on pole position, and was dominating, would be the one where the leader struck debris that impacted the performance of his car.

That there was no yellow flag to warn him of the presence of Sebastian Vettel’s front wing endplate – lying in the middle of the track after his Lap 1 clash with Kevin Magnussen – wasn’t ideal. But the yellow flag marshalling system is a human one, and perhaps the piece just went unnoticed.

Far more concerning was the speed that some drivers were seen flashing past marshals, who were on the track dealing with the George Russell debris, after being allowed to unlap themselves from the safety car.

A subsequent statement from the FIA read: “The safety of the marshals and trackside officials is of the highest priority for the FIA. Race control was made aware of the issue and is evaluating whether any changes can be made to the procedures currently in place to further protect the marshals and officials and minimise the likelihood of a reoccurrence in the future.”

I trust this serious matter will now be dealt with.

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