FIA Overtaking Rules Under Fire: Komatsu's Candid Critique

Komatsu urges the FIA to address fundamental racing issues before implementing new overtaking rules, emphasizing the need for effective solutions.

Team principals have weighed in on the rules surrounding on-track battles, as the debate has intensified following the tussle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in Austin. Ayao Komatsu, the director of Haas F1, believes that introducing new rules could be a positive step… but only if those rules genuinely make a difference.

“Yes, I think sometimes we have rules that don’t really address the fundamental issues. For me, the maximum safety time for qualifying is the same thing,” Komatsu explained, following the decision to revise the regulations.

“And these conduct rules create other problems, don’t they? I’d prefer a much simpler solution that allows drivers to race more freely. That’s my personal view.”

Mike Krack, the head of Aston Martin F1, also shared his perspective on the matter: “Yes, there have been a lot of discussions about this in recent weeks. I think it’s mainly because it involved the two title contenders, but there have been other overtakes where space was given or not, or attempts were made to pass around the outside.”

“To be honest, I think most of the incidents have been judged correctly, based on the guidelines as they stand. Now, you can debate whether those guidelines are the right approach for racing or not.”

“But I think this is something the FIA and the drivers agreed upon at the start of the year, and that’s what’s being applied. To be honest, I don’t really understand why there’s such a fuss about it right now.”

“We had a circuit where it was clear that you could run outside the track limits, but you also try to use that to your advantage. At the beginning of the year, we were among the first to be affected. We closely examined the situation, and we believe that, overall, as I mentioned, it was handled in the right way.”

Christian Horner, the Red Bull team principal, believes that the solution lies with the circuits: “I think these matters are discussed at length with the team principals and the drivers, and I think we have a set of guidelines that are quite clear. In some cases, they make cricket seem simple.”

“But I think the key element from last weekend is that it’s natural for two drivers to push each other, and overtaking outside the track is not allowed. For me, there’s a much simpler solution… We saw it in Austria. If you put gravel at the exit of a corner, drivers won’t venture out there.”

“I understand that costs and restrictions come into play, but I think if you have a deterrent at the exit of a corner, like Turn 12 at Austin, for example, you won’t find a driver running wide because it will slow them down significantly, potentially damage their car, and cost them a lot of time. So for me, it’s about keeping it simple. Try to get back to basics.”