Planet-F1

Theissen reiterates call for SC rule change

Friday 9th May 2008

BMW team boss Mario Theissen has reiterated his call for F1's Safety Car rule to be changed ahead of the Monaco GP.

Under the 2008 regulations the pit lane is closed when the Safety Car comes out, meaning any driver who has to pit during that time is handed a 10-second drive-through penalty.

This fate befell BMW's Nick Heidfeld at the Spanish GP, costing the German a points-scoring finishes.

It also prompted BMW to approach FIA race director Charlie Whiting to ask for a rethink of the rules.

And although the rules have yet to be changed, Theissen is hoping it will happen before the Monaco GP, a race that will most likely see a Safety Car period.

"I am hoping we can change it for Monaco, because that is where we have the highest risk of safety car, and the trickiest conditions," the BMW boss said.

"I think the ultimate solution can be something controlled by the car itself, by the electronics.

"But that is probably not an immediate solution because that needs to be sorted out and tested, so I don't see that for the coming races.

"However, Charlie Whiting has made a proposal to set a minimum sector time in yellow areas, which I think will be something immediately workable and certainly better than what we have now."