The multiple incidents at the Australian GP highlighted issues that drivers were having getting temperatures into their tyres on the way to standing restarts, when they were obliged to initially follow the safety car until it turns its light out.
The subject was discussed at length in Friday’s drivers’ briefing in Baku, and on Saturday morning the FIA canvassed teams before confirming a new procedure.
The safety car will now leave the pitlane 30 seconds before the field and with its lights turned off, giving drivers a much better opportunity to set their own pace, make gaps, and put heat into their tyres.
GPDA direc …