FIA ammend lapped cars may overtake rule to prevent Verstappen-like scenarios

During a Safety Car period in the Australian Grand Prix, Haas driver, Oliver Bearman, after unlapping himself, came into the pits for fresh rubber, and came out ahead of Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman unclear of what was to happen next, reached out to the Red Bull pitwall and asked for clarification on what the British rookie was going to do. To which his race engineer replied that he would be staying ahead until the restart, but would have to let him go as soon as racing was resumed.

According to the updated regulations published yesterday, the Race Director's ability to alter the procedure as needed reads as follows:

“Having overtaken the cars on the lead lap and the Safety Car these cars should then proceed around the track at an appropriate speed, without overtaking and make every effort to take up position at the back of the line of cars behind the Safety Car."

"Whilst such cars are proceeding around the track to rejoin the line of cars behind the Safety Car, and at the sole discretion of the race director, the pit lane exit may be closed when the Safety Car and line of cars behind it are approaching and passing the pit lane exit."