F1 team bosses call for safer solution to Monza qualifying problems

As the value of a wake is so high on the high-speed track, qualifying sessions at Monza have always been tough as drivers battle for position on the track to get the car towed in front of them – everything by not running so close that they lose aerodynamics Efficiency.

During Friday night’s qualifying session for the sprint, there were several flash points both on the track and in the pit lane.

Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly were forced to abandon laps started in Q1 after being pushed back by slow cars during the preparation laps.

Then in Q2, Sebastian Vettel’s Aston Martin was waved out of his garage on the way to Lewis Hamilton, almost causing contact, while a member of Esteban Ocon’s crew was deemed to have placed himself. in a dangerous position in the pit lane as he waved at the Frenchman. to be freed.

As a result, the Aston Martin and Alpine teams were each fined 5,000 euros for their unsafe outings.

Aston Martin team boss Otmar Szafnauer told Autosport he believes F1 needs to find a way to stop the Monza shenanigans in the future.

“We have to look at that to make sure we reduce it before something happens,” he said.

“A lot of people were involved. It’s because the value of a tow is so high here that people try this stuff. We have to think about how to do better.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner acknowledged that Monza’s unique characteristics meant F1 needed to think about a better approach.

“Towing is so precious,” he told Sky. “I think Max was caught in the first run by being out of sync. There were a whole bunch of cars everywhere and the closing speeds are so huge here.

“It’s very difficult unless you send them one by one to individual qualifying, and that’s all part of trying to get that position on the track.

“But he has to be sure. And, of course, the pitlane also gets a little crazy.

“Fortunately, there were no incidents today, but it’s something we should definitely take a close look at.”

Horner also felt that teams could do a better job advising their drivers of fast approaching cars.

“You have great closing speeds,” he reiterated.

“Of course the teams tell them [the drivers] that’s on a quick turn. Sometimes it feels like communication could be better, but that’s one of the nuances of racing at Monza, I’m afraid.