Formula 1 2024 Season

In reply to xflowgolf (Forum Supporter) :

Exactly,the rule stops real racecraft from happening.

 If Max commits to defending the inside line then it should remain the inside line if there's a car on the outside....who gives a damn who got to the apex first.

 If there's any overlap space needs to be allowed for both cars regardless of inside or out.....Alonso had it right all those yrs ago lol.

Next corner was a right hander,if Max played by my rules and Lando was able to hang with him around the outside then its still game on vs game over.

Don't even get me started on track limits being the entire track width of the car(not just an F1 thing its most tracks and series now....nascar at Watkins Glen is ridiculous with the paved runoffs)

I say spray the outside edge of the run off with coke syrup so it acts like fly paper..................that will stop all the nonsense.

Realistically all they could do is cut groves in the pavement for about 6-8ft to make it more like rumble strips. 

NASCAR track limits are generally delineated by a wall. Except at COTA, Daytona, Talledaga.  Cant pass below the yellow line, because that is a guaranteed trip to destruction, and COTA in the switchbacks, because that would be one long straight for the stock car boys.  Using all the asphalt at Watkins Glen is kinda cool...

I'm fine with either, as long as it is consistent.  "We are worried about track limits on turn 9, 12 and 15."  Why not on all, or none?

In reply to xflowgolf (Forum Supporter) :

Lando could also back off and stay on track and not hit Max. Looks like a good racing move to me. 

In reply to Tom1200 :

Roofing nails in the rumble strips :)

I'm not a fan of the current passing rules in F1, we lose a lot of entertaining battles to it and instead just have cars trying to get to the apex first so they can claim the corners as theirs and not have to leave space on the outside at exit.

What bothered me about the Max/Lando pass is that Max also gained an advantage by going off track. He released his brakes late in the braking zone to be ahead at the apex but because of that he did not make the corner within track limits. 

In reply to xflowgolf (Forum Supporter) :

Lando need to learn to be more aggressive, as in do the same move on max. If he dive bombed that corner, being ahead at the apex, max would have gotten a 5 second penalty for forcing a car off. 
 

Landos troubles all came from not defending P1, turn 1, lap 1.  Max did a much better job into 1 in the sprint, kept the lead, and won.

I still think it was going to be a Ferrari day, but had he shoved Max into the tulips on the start, he would have come out ahead of him, anyway.  Carlos, maybe not.

Some news from Pirelli, teams will be testing out the softer tire compounds for the 2025 season at the Mexico GP:

The second stop on Formula 1’s long trip to the Americas takes place in the Mexican capital, Mexico City, before the circus moves onto Sao Paulo to end the run of three consecutive races. At the circuit named in honour of the brothers, Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez, the available tyres are the C3 as Hard, the C4 as Medium and the C5 as Soft, a step softer than in the past, as was already the case last year, the decision taken in order to open up more strategic options for the race.

The first day of track action, Friday 25 October, will be slightly different to usual. The second free practice session will be entirely given over to validating the softer compounds in Pirelli’s 2025 range (C4, C5 and C6) in what is known as an in-competition test. The session is extended by 30 minutes to 90 and all drivers and teams will have to follow a specific programme established by the Pirelli engineers. Apart from the dry tyre allocation specifically for the Grand Prix (two sets of Hard, three of Medium and seven of Soft, one less than usual), each driver will have two additional sets of tyres: one will be identical to the one available for the weekend, to act as a baseline, while the other will be a 2025 prototype option, both in terms of compound and of construction – actually the latter already homologated back in September.

These two sets will not have any sidewall colour bands. The plan is for the programme to include a performance run and a long run for each set, with every team running the same number of laps with the same quantity of fuel on board, dependent on the type of run. The only exception will be in the case of a regular race driver being replaced for FP1 by a young driver. These race drivers will carry out the Pirelli test for 60 minutes of FP2 only and will have an additional set of Medium compound tyres to catch up as much as possible on acquiring data for the rest of the weekend. All the test data will then be analysed by Pirelli engineers to fine tune the characteristics of the compounds prior to the group test in Abu Dhabi, which starts on the Tuesday after the final round of the 2024 championship. It means that teams will have to prepare their cars for qualifying and the race in the space of two hours: FP1 on Friday and FP3 on Saturday.

The Hermanos Rodriguez track is 4.304 km long, with 17 corners and a surface that is low in terms of its severity on tyres. This year the promoter has resurfaced the section between turns 12 and 15 in the third sector. The very smooth asphalt and the fact the track is hardly used means that grip levels are rather low at the start of the weekend and track evolution is very marked, rubbering in the more the cars run.

Mexico City is located at over 2000 metres above sea level and the rarified air has an influence on car performance, reducing the aerodynamic downforce generated by the cars. One of the consequences of this is that top speeds reached are very high, despite a configuration that actually looks typical of tracks that require maximum downforce – the speed record was set here in 2016 when Valtteri Bottas in the Williams-Mercedes was clocked at 372.5 km/h - even if the level of graining is usually quite high. Furthermore, on the longest straights, the main one and the one between turns 3 and 4, the surface temperature of the tyres tends to drop pretty quickly and the drivers have to be very careful when braking, especially at turn 1, to avoid locking the wheels and therefore damaging the tyres.

In terms of strategy, this is usually a one-stop race. Last year, the majority of drivers tried to manage the Medium to lengthen the first stint as much as possible. A Safety Car and a later red flag, after Kevin Magnussen went off the track in the Haas, meant that nearly the entire field used three sets of tyres in a race that was pretty much divided in two.

Formula 1 has always been very popular in Mexico, even if there have only ever been 23 championship races held here, all of them at this circuit in the capital city, inaugurated in 1962. The races took place in three periods: from 1963 to 1970, from 1986 to 1992 and from 2015 onwards. A change of name in 2021 saw the Mexican Grand Prix renamed after the city.

There have been 15 different winners over the 23 editions of this race. Max Verstappen is the most successful driver with five wins, with his Red Bull team on the same number heading the teams’ classification. Jim Clark has started from pole the most often (four times) while Lewis Hamilton has the most podium finishes with six. Of the constructors, Lotus on 6 has the most poles and Ferrari leads the way for podium finishes with 12.

Stolen from Reddit.

After the recent controversy surrounding Max Verstappen's defensive driving moves on Lando Norris, I saw a lot of users mention Verstappen being the lead cause of rule changes and forcing the FIA to clarify rules in the past.

I thought it'd be fun to do a deep dive on what changes and clarifications had to be made solely because of him:

edit: added rule changes 11, 12 and 13, thanks to those who pointed them out!

edit: several people requested I make a similar list for Lewis Hamilton. I'll post it tomorrow.

1. Minimum Age Requirement for F1 Super Licence

Race: -

Incident: Max Verstappen was signed by Toro Rosso for the 2015 season at just 16 years old, making his F1 debut at 17 years and 166 days—the youngest driver in Formula 1 history.

Rule Change: The FIA introduced new Super Licence requirements effective from the 2016 season. Drivers must be at least 18 years old to be eligible, have accumulated at least 40 points over the previous three seasons in specified lower categories, and have completed a minimum number of kilometers in testing, along with holding a valid road driver's licence.

2. The "Verstappen Rule" – Moving Under Braking

Race: 2016 Japanese Grand Prix

Incident: Verstappen aggressively defended against Lewis Hamilton by moving under braking into the chicane, forcing Hamilton to take evasive action.

Rule Change: The FIA prohibited drivers from changing direction under braking in a way that could cause an avoidable collision. Drivers must not move unpredictably or change direction under braking when defending, and must leave at least one car's width between their own car and the edge of the track when defending.

3. Expansion of the "Verstappen Rule" – Dangerous Defensive Maneuvers

Race: 2016 Belgian Grand Prix 2 Incident: Verstappen made aggressive defensive moves against Kimi Räikkönen, including moving under braking and weaving on straights, leading to safety concerns.

Rule Change: The FIA expanded the rule to penalize any dangerous defensive maneuvers. Drivers are not allowed to make more than one change of direction to defend a position. Any movement that impedes another driver in a dangerous manner is prohibited, and stewards were given increased authority to penalize unsportsmanlike conduct.

4. Use of Alternate Lines and Track Limits

Race: 2017 United States Grand Prix

Incident: Verstappen overtook Kimi Räikkönen for third place on the final lap by going off-track and cutting inside the track limits at Turn 17.

Rule Clarification: The FIA provided clarifying definitions of track limits and enforced consistent penalties. The track is defined by the white lines; drivers must keep at least one wheel within these lines at all times. Overtaking or gaining a lasting advantage by leaving the track is prohibited. Stewards were instructed to apply penalties uniformly for track limit violations.

5. Driver Conduct and Physical Altercations

Race: 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix

Incident: After a collision with Esteban Ocon, Verstappen confronted and physically pushed Ocon multiple times in the FIA weigh-in area.

Rule Change: The FIA strengthened regulations against unsportsmanlike conduct off the track. Drivers must conduct themselves professionally and with respect. Physical altercations can result in penalties such as community service, fines, or suspension, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the sport's integrity.

6. Formation Lap Overtaking Clarification

Race: 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix

Incident: Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton during the formation lap before the race start.

Rule Clarification: The FIA clarified rules regarding formation lap conduct. Drivers must maintain their grid positions during the formation lap unless a car is delayed leaving the grid. Overtaking is only permitted if a car is delayed and others cannot avoid passing it without unduly delaying the remainder of the field. Procedures were clarified to ensure all drivers understand acceptable behavior before the race start.

7. Clarification on Forcing a Driver Off-Track

Race: 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix

Incident: Verstappen defended his position by pushing Lewis Hamilton wide at Turn 4, causing both cars to leave the track.

Rule Clarification: The FIA issued clearer guidelines on overtaking and defending. If an overtaking car is significantly alongside, the defending driver must leave at least one car's width of space. Drivers must not deliberately force another driver off the track. Detailed criteria were provided for stewards to assess incidents consistently.

8. Technical Regulations on Rear Wings and Parc Fermé

Race: 2021 Brazilian Grand Prix

Incident: After qualifying, Verstappen touched and inspected Hamilton's rear wing in parc fermé conditions.

Rule Clarification: The FIA reinforced rules regarding parc fermé conditions. Drivers and team personnel are prohibited from touching or examining rival cars during parc fermé. Strict penalties, including fines and sporting penalties, can be applied for violations. Security measures were enhanced, with increased monitoring and enforcement.

9. Double Yellow Flag Compliance

Race: 2021 Qatar Grand Prix

Incident: Verstappen failed to sufficiently slow down for double-waved yellow flags during qualifying.

Rule Clarification: The FIA reinforced the importance of yellow flag compliance. Stricter penalties were introduced for Verstappen's failing to respect yellow flags.

10. Brake Testing and Sudden Deceleration

Race: 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Incident: Verstappen braked suddenly in front of Hamilton while attempting to let him pass, leading to a collision.

Rule Clarification: The FIA reinforced rules against dangerous driving behaviors. Sudden deceleration or "brake testing" that endangers other drivers is strictly prohibited. Procedures for safely yielding positions were clarified, including proper communication protocols between teams and race control. Stricter penalties were introduced to deter such actions.

11. Restrictions on Post-Race Celebrations and dangerous driving over the Finish Line

(edit - suggested by u/SomewhereAlarmed9985)

Race: 2021 Styrian Grand Prix

Incident: Verstappen slowed down and performed burnouts or drifted over the finish line to celebrate his victory, which was deemed potentially dangerous.

Rule Clarification: The FIA reinforced regulations prohibiting dangerous driving after the chequered flag, including burnouts and drifting over the finish line. Drivers are required to proceed safely to parc fermé after finishing the race. Post-race celebrations must not endanger other drivers, marshals, or spectators.

12. Safety Car Restart Procedure Change

Race: 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Incident: Verstappen often drew alongside the car ahead during safety car restarts, notably during the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where he pulled alongside Lewis Hamilton before the restart.

Rule Change: The FIA updated the safety car restart procedures: Drivers must remain in a single line without overlapping until the race resumes. Overtaking or drawing alongside another car before crossing the start/finish line after the safety car has pulled into the pits is prohibited. Drivers cannot gain an advantage by positioning themselves alongside the car ahead during a restart.

13. Clarification of Pitlane Exit Rules

(*edit- suggested by user u/Buffythedragonslayer)

Race: 2023 Monaco Grand Prix

Incident: During the race, Max Verstappen appeared to cross the pit exit line when rejoining the track, leading to controversy over whether he violated the rules.

Rule Clarification: The FIA tweaked the pitlane exit rules to clarify that drivers must not cross any part of their car over the pit exit line when rejoining the track. The updated rule specifies that touching or crossing the line with any part of the car constitutes a violation.

It's interesting to note that aside from the Pitlane Exit rule in 2023, the last rule change or clarification directly attributed to Verstappen's actions was in 2021.

I don't really like or dislike Verstappen, but I will say that one of the things that makes a good competitor into a great competitor is being able to not only use the car and your skills against the other drivers, but to also be able to use the rulebook.  I get that he had a lot of rules made because people saw what he did and said "there oughtta be a law!", but if it isn't prohibited by the rules and it can give you an advantage, then I can't hold it against a driver if they do it.

wae said:

but if it isn't prohibited by the rules and it can give you an advantage, then I can't hold it against a driver if they do it.

I think this explains the rift between Verstappen fans and haters.  Me, personally, I will hold it against drivers all day long.

I understand that cheating, or "cheating," has a long and storied history in motorsports.  To me, though, there's a difference.  Ferrari figures out how to game the fuel flow measuring device by timing the pulses of their fuel pump (allegedly)?  That's fascinating and brilliant and not remotely within the spirit of the rules, but it makes the sport more entertaining to watch.

Fernando realizing that you can just "accidentally" cut certain corners, put your foot in in and gain time?  This makes the sport worse.  I find no joy in watching someone find those exploits.  Max realizing that he just needs to be ahead at the "apex" in order to run someone completely off the track?  Why do I want to spend 2 hours on a Sunday watching a race be decided by a dumb move like that?  I don't.

I get that it's not Max's job to fix the rules, but I absolutely will hold it against him for exploiting the FIA's ineptitude. Raise these issues in a conference room somewhere, don't make me waste time on a weekend watching you point out bad rules.  That's not what I pay my money for.

In reply to steronz :

I don't like Max, not because he's pushing the limit of the rules and other driver's patience, but because he's pissy about it.

He knows full well what he is doing; I find being pissy about things to be a complete waste of mental energy. 

The Lauda approach has always made much more sense to me. 

I wonder how much of the pissiness is like soccer players flopping.  All the drivers jump on the radio to whine about stuff, as though the stewards will only look into an issue if someone flopped on the field.

Braking News from Brembo about this weekend’s Mexican GP:

The twentieth race of the season for Formula 1 is the Mexican GP, which last year was attended by a total of 400,639 people, with 152,668 on Sunday alone. To offer better service to the public, the grandstand called “Estadio GNP” has undergone a complete renovation. However, the track layout has not changed and remains the same since its comeback in 2015.

 The GP Data 

 According to Brembo technicians, the 4.304 km long Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez falls into the category of highly demanding circuits for brakes. On a scale from 1 to 5, it earned a difficulty index of 4 because the low air density, due to the track’s record altitude, contributes to reduced cooling efficiency for discs, pads, and calipers. Drivers use the brakes in 9 of the 17 corners, although they use them in all corners from 4 to 7. Three of the braking points are classified as Hard and 2 as Medium.

•          Brembo Identity Card, in PDF: Brembo - F1 2024

•          Video Hardest Braking Point, in .mp4: https://we.tl/t-S2A10ldlis

•          Link YT Hardest Braking Point: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc6DIjuXMUg

•          Link web news: 5 Curiosities about the Mexican GP Formula 1 | Brembo - Official Website

The Anti-Drag 

In Formula 1 cars, every element must be optimized to avoid behaviors that reduce overall performance. Usually, this attention is focused on the wing appendages and the body of the single seaters, but other components can also have a negative impact. For example, the use of a traditional brake caliper can result in residual torque, albeit minimal, even during non-braking phases.

 This anomaly has been resolved by Brembo with the introduction of the anti-drag system on the calipers, a system created through a pin operated by a torsion spring that reduces residual torque, i.e., unwanted friction between the disc and pad, even in extreme conditions during non-braking phases. When the driver releases the brake, zeroing the system pressure, the spring immediately returns the pads to the non-contact position.

The Toughest Turn 

The hardest corner of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for the braking system is the first one: the single seaters arrive at 342 km/h and drop to 112 km/h in 2.68 seconds, covering 141 meters. The effort required from the drivers is 4.1 g, and the load they exert on the brake pedal is 126 kg. The braking power is 2,209 kW.

The Double First 

In 1986, Formula 1 returned to Mexico after a 16-year absence: Nigel Mansell led the standings with a 10-point advantage over Nelson Piquet and 11 over Alain Prost, with a win worth 9 points. Williams was already the Constructors’ World Champion, while Benetton was sixth with 10 points. Yet, it was Benetton that won the Mexican GP with Gerhard Berger, the only one not to make a pit stop. It was the first victory in Formula 1 for both the team and the driver, a triumph made also possible by Brembo brakes. 

The Eighth Mexican 

Pato O’Ward will take part in the first practice session of the Mexican GP, driving a McLaren. The home driver competes in IndyCar, a championship in which he boasts 7 wins and respectable placements: in 2021 he finished the season in 3rd place, in 2020 and 2023 in 4th, this year in 5th, and in 2022 in 7th. Pato is the 8th Mexican to drive an F1 car, although not all have raced in a GP because Alfonso Celis did not go beyond Free Practice and Tests with Force India.

Max's "pissiness" is nothing compared to that of his haters  

maschinenbau said:

Max's "pissiness" is nothing compared to that of his haters  

Yes, there does seem to me a large outbreak of Max Derangement Syndrome..............

Tom1200 said:

In reply to steronz :

I don't like Max, not because he's pushing the limit of the rules and other driver's patience, but because he's pissy about it.

He knows full well what he is doing; I find being pissy about things to be a complete waste of mental energy. 

The Lauda approach has always made much more sense to me. 

Yea, he has a pretty remarkable double standard- if Lando did what he did, he would be whining about it for many, many laps.

But the other thing- his moves tend to be- crash or give way.  The dive bombs really have no chance to make the corner, especially with the car space.  So he does it because he know other drivers don't want to crash into him.  The fact that his passes or blocking is mostly "crash or let me get my way" is exactly why the rules keep being made.  

And many times when others do the same thing to him, he just turns into them and blames them.  

If his passes were super clean and whatnot, I think I would temper my feelings for him.  And if he just took the treatment that he does to others, same.  But "crash or let me by" and the whining is just really old.

Martin Brundle has noted his thoughts of the Lando/Norris corner....

https://racingnews365.com/brundle-criticises-f1-combat-rules-after-norris-verstappen-austin-clash

In reply to alfadriver :

Yes, Hamilton got his fill of Max and didn't yield........Max stopped with him after that.

In reply to Tom1200 :

The hell he did, he tried the same dive bomb in Hungry earlier this year and drive right into Hamilton 

https://youtu.be/TmZ0e9s0w-s?si=KzaMiohuzJLV565K

They even tell him on the radio the very point being argued that you need to be ahead at the apex.

Max is absolutely exploiting the gray areas of the rules and will continue to do it as long as he's allowed to. I think he's the most perfectly created Formula 1 driver of all time but he's also a world class douchebag because he's such a hypocrite. He pleads innocence on driving behavior when he's on one side of the equation and is the first to cry foul when he's on the other side of it. I hate him but every sport needs a villain and he's almost the perfect villain, too. 

adam525i said:

It's interesting to note that aside from the Pitlane Exit rule in 2023, the last rule change or clarification directly attributed to Verstappen's actions was in 2021.

Most likely that's because in 2022 and 2023 his car was so much faster than the rest of the field that he didn't need to resort to exploiting gray areas in the rules.

codrus (Forum Supporter) said:

adam525i said:

It's interesting to note that aside from the Pitlane Exit rule in 2023, the last rule change or clarification directly attributed to Verstappen's actions was in 2021.

Most likely that's because in 2022 and 2023 his car was so much faster than the rest of the field that he didn't need to resort to exploiting gray areas in the rules.

 

100%. Max appeared to be a much more mature driver in 2022/2023 because his "send it and see" passing technique simply wasn't necessary. But he's starting to get some pressure now.

And to keep things fair, here is the post on Hamilton from Reddit.

By request, I also compiled all the F1 rules changed or clarified solely because of Lewis Hamilton since 2007

After yesterday's compilation of F1 rules changed or clarified due to Max Verstappen's actions, several users requested I do a similar list for Lewis Hamilton.

First, I want to emphasize that the intention of my previous post was not to single out Verstappen negatively. In fact, I respect Verstappen as an exceptional talent who pushes the boundaries of the sport.

So, by request, here's a deep dive into the rules that have been changed or clarified solely because of Lewis Hamilton's actions.

1. Gaining an Advantage Off-Track Clarification

Race: 2008 Belgian Grand Prix

Incident: Hamilton cut the chicane while battling Kimi Räikkönen, allowing him to overtake. He let Räikkönen back past but immediately overtook him again at the next corner.

Rule Clarification: The FIA clarified that if a driver gains an advantage by leaving the track, they must not only give back the position but also ensure they do not retain any lasting advantage. Immediate re-overtaking or benefiting from a better position due to going off-track is prohibited. This clarification aimed to ensure fairness in racing duels.

2. Emphasis on Honesty with Officials

Race: 2009 Australian Grand Prix

Incident: Hamilton and his McLaren team were found to have provided misleading information to the stewards regarding an incident under the safety car involving Jarno Trulli. Initially, Hamilton told the stewards he did not deliberately let Trulli pass, leading to Trulli's penalty. Later, radio transmissions revealed that Hamilton had been instructed to let Trulli pass.

Rule Clarification: The FIA reinforced the requirement for absolute honesty in all communications with the stewards. Providing misleading information resulted in more severe penalties, including disqualification.

3. Ban on Excessive Weaving to Defend Position

Race: 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix

Incident: Hamilton weaved multiple times on the straight to break the tow from Vitaly Petrov, who was attempting to overtake. This was deemed dangerous and unsportsmanlike.

Rule Change: The FIA expanded the rules on defensive driving, stating that drivers are allowed only one move to defend their position per straight and prohibiting excessive weaving to impede another car. This was introduced to enhance safety and ensure fair competition during overtaking maneuvers.

4. Restrictions on Helmet Design Changes

Implemented: 2016 Season

Incident: Hamilton frequently changed his helmet designs, making it harder for fans, commentators, and officials to identify drivers quickly.

Rule Change: The FIA introduced a rule starting in 2016 limiting drivers to one helmet design per season, with exceptions for special occasions. This aimed to improve driver recognition.

(Edit: as pointed out by several users, the rule on helmet restrictions was primarily driven by the actions of Sebastian Vettel, rather then Hamilton)

5. Reinforcement of Pit Entry and Exit Regulations

Race: 2018 German Grand Prix

Incident: Hamilton aborted a pit stop entry by cutting across the grass to rejoin the track, crossing the pit entry line, which was against the rules.

Rule Clarification: The FIA reinforced existing rules prohibiting crossing the pit entry and exit lines, emphasizing safety concerns. Drivers must commit to the pit entry once they cross the commitment line and cannot rejoin the track. This clarification ensured consistent enforcement of pit lane regulations.

6. Podium Attire Regulations and Political Messaging

Race: 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix

Incident: Hamilton wore a T-shirt on the podium that read "Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor," highlighting social justice issues.

Rule Change: The FIA updated podium and pre-race regulations to prohibit drivers from wearing clothing with political or personal statements during official activities. Drivers must wear their race suits fully zipped up during podium ceremonies and official interviews. The aim was to maintain political neutrality during official events.

7. Jewelry Ban Enforcement

Race: 2022 Miami Grand Prix

Incident: Hamilton wore jewelry, including piercings and necklaces, while driving, despite existing regulations prohibiting jewelry for safety reasons.

Rule Enforcement: The FIA decided to strictly enforce the existing ban on wearing jewelry during competition, requiring drivers to remove all jewelry before sessions. This emphasized safety concerns, as jewelry can hinder medical procedures or pose additional risks during accidents.

8. External Assistance Rule Change

(suggested by u/EndiKopi)

Race: 2007 European Grand Prix

Incident: During the race, Lewis Hamilton crashed and required assistance to be lifted back onto the track using a tractor.

Rule Change: Following this incident, the FIA changed the rules regarding external assistance during races. Drivers are prohibited from receiving outside help (such as tractors or other vehicles) to get back onto the track after a crash. Any external assistance provided during a race would result in penalties, emphasizing that drivers must recover on their own or with help from their team within the pit lane.

It's interesting to note that despite his 18 years driving in Formula 1 (so far), it looks like only three rule changes or clarifications have been made solely as a result of Lewis Hamilton's driving.