The FIA says it has “launched a thorough review” into how recovery vehicles were used in the Japanese Grand Prix, after heavy criticism from Formula 1 drivers.
Carlos Sainz crashed on the opening lap of the Suzuka race as persistent rain made for poor track conditions and awful visibility.
After the safety car was deployed a recovery vehicle was sent to retrieve Sainz’s Ferrari and was passed by all the cars still in the race, including Pierre Gasly at an increased speed while he was trying to catch the back of the safety car queue.
Just before Gasly passed the truck, at the scene where Sainz had crashed after losing control, the race was red-flagged.
But Gasly could not react in time to this and in any case, he and most other drivers were adamant that whether it was a red flag or a safety car, the recovery vehicle should not have been deployed.
While this is accepted as the usual procedure in normal conditions, several drivers pointed out that when the track is dry – and the safety car is deployed – it is easy for cars to pass recovery vehicles or marshals safely.
Their anger was focused on the fact that the awful weather conditions meant losing control of the car was possible even at low speed.
And the emotion around this incident was magnified given it occurred at Suzuka eight years after Jules Bianchi sustained what would eventually be fatal injuries after crashing into a recovery vehicle in terrible weather conditions.
The FIA said on Sunday night in Japan: “While it is normal practice to recover cars under safety car and red flag conditions, due to the particular circumstances and also taking into account feedback from of a number of drivers, the FIA has launched a thorough review of the events involving the deployment of recovery vehicles during the Japanese Grand Prix.
“This is part of the common practice of debrief and analysis of all race incidents to ensure continual improvements of processes and procedures.”
Earlier in the evening, the FIA stewards had punished Gasly for speeding under the red flag.
He was given a 20-second time penalty and two licence penalty points for driving too fast although his “shock” at seeing a truck on the racing line helped mitigate the stewards’ decision.
