Drivers pushed for new double waved yellow flag ruling

FIA race director Charlie Whiting had previously suggested that the track could be neutralised under double waved yellows so that nobody out on track could set a time, but under today's ruling only those who pass through a yellow zone are affected.

Rather than slowing down, with data proving that they lifted, drivers are now expected to back off completely, and are not allowed to continue and set a "meaningful laptime."

The matter was raised in the meeting by Sergio Perez, who was frustrated to receive a grid penalty in Singapore for failing to slow sufficiently under double waved yellows, after Nico Rosberg had escaped punishment for a similar offence in Hungary.

"Obviously we went to the stewards in Singapore," Force India sporting director Andy Stevenson told Motorsport.com.

"And in our defence we pointed out that Rosberg had committed a similar offence, if not worse, in Hungary, and there was no penalty applied.

"However the stewards felt that what Checo did was worse, even though we proved that he did slow down earlier, he did brake earlier, he did change down a gear, and was out of the throttle, and lost four-tenths. They didn't feel that was enough.

"At the drivers meeting yesterday Checo raised it with Charlie. He said he was confused as to where the level is, and he felt that if what he did wasn't enough, then with a double waved yellow there should be no argument, you basically give up that lap."

After some debate all the drivers supported the new interpretation.

"There was a lot of chat between the drivers and Charlie, and all the drivers felt that it was far too much of a grey area. Every driver bar none was in favour," Stevenson added. "The main reason was for safety.

"What has happened over the years is that people were getting away with more and more, and drivers found themselves trying to slow down so as not to get a penalty, but still not lose too much time. If we take that away from the drivers – basically if you go quicker you are going to be in trouble anyway – they don't have to think about it more."