Picture Credit: Formula 1
After the 2022 US Grand Prix controversy, the FIA is reducing the use of the black and orange flag signalling damaged cars. The issue was leading the news after Haas protested the results of Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Alpine driver, Fernando Alonso, as they apparently had each finished the race while driving with damage and breaking safety rules.
These appeals came after Haas driver Kevin Magnussen received the black-and-orange flag instruction at three races in the 2022 season in Canada, Hungary and Singapore as he sustained damage to his front wing endplate in each of those races.
But now as reported by Autosport, an agreement has been reached where the Race Control won’t be so eager to show the flag to a damaged car, instead the decision will be left with the teams to address if their car is safe or not. “The ongoing discussion concerns how the flag will be used at coming events,” read the report,
“With the understanding that officials will now be less inclined to automatically give the warning as F1 teams have so much data to prove a part, even if damaged, is not going to come suddenly become a safety problem.”
The report further talked about how there won’t be an official rule change, where the teams will be given a bigger responsibility to confirm whether their car is safe or not. "It is understood that no rule changes for F1 are planned as a result of the FIA review, with the governing body instead set to leave the onus on the teams to ensure their cars are running in safe manners at all times – although it will step in and make immediate enquiries in cases where damage is clearly visible."
Talking further about the US Grand Prix, where Red Bull racing clinched their fifth Constructors’ title as Max Verstappen racked up another win in the 2022 season after winning the Drivers’ title in the Suzuka Grand Prix.
