Paul di Resta has called on the FIA to consider tighter guidelines for drivers on how to make space at the Suzuka chicane ahead of a qualifying lap.
The Force India driver encountered slow-moving traffic at the final chicane several times during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, complaining over the radio about “cars everywhere” when he had to dive between a Red Bull and a Lotus on the approach to the chicane.
He also had another moment when a Toro Rosso was backing up at the chicane.
This was just one of a number of incidents that occurred at the final corner at Suzuka, with Sebastian Vettel reprimanded and Jean-Eric Vergne given a grid penalty for impeding other cars.
“Based on what we saw here, maybe they brief us differently,” suggested di Resta when asked by AUTOSPORT what can be done about the situation.
“You could say that if we are going to get a gap there, which side to choose.
“I’ve not seen it as bad as this anywhere, so maybe it’s something that the FIA and Charlie [Whiting] could have a look at.
“It’s dangerous, the closing speed, with a car that’s doing 315km/h [compared] to a car that’s in first gear doing probably 60km/h.
“It probably needs to be looked into, for getting gaps, how slow you can actually be going.”
Williams driver Bruno Senna, who failed to make Q2 after being impeded by Vergne at the chicane, echoed di Resta’s thoughts.
He believes that the track configuration gives drivers insufficient time for drivers to react given the closing speeds.
“The minimum speed in 130R is 300km/h and if you’re doing 150/km, the guy is going to catch you very fast,” said Senna.
“Normally, if you see the car behind coming through 130R and you are not flat out, you pull over.
“The rate of approach from cars behind is too fast and I don’t think anyone has been able to cope with it.”
Hubert Hahne Mike Hailwood Mika Häkkinen Bruce Halford Jim Hall
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