F1 body imposes pitlane clampdown

F1’s governing body ordered an immediate clampdown on access to the pitlane on Tuesday after a television cameraman was struck and injured by a bouncing wheel at last weekend’s German GP.

F1’s governing body ordered an immediate clampdown on access to the pitlane on Tuesday after a television cameraman was struck and injured by a bouncing wheel at last weekend’s German GP.

FIA said in a statement that only authorised team personnel and event marshals would be allowed to work in the pitlane during qualifying sessions and the race. “Access for approved media will be confined to the pit wall,” it stated.

The governing body said FIA president Jean Todt, a former Ferrari team principal, had demanded immediate changes to the sporting regulations in order to reduce the risk of similar pitlane accidents.

The first change requires all team personnel working on a car during a pitstop to wear head protection, already a common practice for mechanics.

The second will reduce the pit lane speed limit during races from 100kph to 80kph, with the exception of Melbourne, Monaco and Singapore where due to track configuration the limit is 60kph.

The FIA said they were expecting champions Red Bull to submit a written report about the Nuerburgring incident on Wednesday. The report will be shared with the other 10 teams to help improve pit lane safety.