Pit wall Celebration punishments will be enforced if teams decide to ignore the rules and celebrate as drivers cross the finish line
In another move that will be viewed by many as yet another way in which the FIA are sterilising the sport, pit wall celebration ‘s will be penalised.
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Now let’s just preface this with the fact that it has always been the rule that teams shouldn’t climb the fence for safety reasons, but until now it just hasn’t been enforced.
Fast forward to 2023 Australia and it seems the fun police, sorry we mean FIA have put paid to that activity. There will now be punishments if teams decide to hang over the fence and celebrate with their drivers.
The responsibility of this new rule enforcement comes from FIA race director Neil’s Wittich. He has laid out in the weekend notes that
“it is forbidden to climb on pit wall debris fence at any time”.
The Rules
Check out the rules as written in the rule book, Appendix H, Article 2.3.2 of the FIA International Sporting Code: “Organisers of races are reminded that the pitlane represents a potentially dangerous area during the running of a competition, not only because of the racing cars using it but also in view of accidents which may occur owing to cars being on the race track adjacent to it.
“Therefore, access to the pit lane should be exclusively reserved during practice and races for those persons specially authorised and having a specific job to do.
“The pitwall signalling platform should be forbidden to all except authorised officials or race team personnel, having a special pass; the presence of any person in this zone should be strictly prohibited during the start of a race, unless there is adequate protection in place, at the discretion of the race director, if appointed, or the clerk of the course.”
“Team personnel are only allowed in the pitlane immediately before they are required to work on a car and must withdraw as soon as the work is complete.
“It is forbidden for personnel to climb on pitwall debris fences at any time. Any action by a team breaching this ban will be reported to the Stewards.”
I personally think this is a real shame. It’s great to see the support from the engineers and crew. It really adds to the whole celebratory atmosphere at the end of a Grand Prix.
What are your thoughts on the enforcing of this rule? Do you like it when the teams celebrate a win climbing up and on to the fence by the pitwall?
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