Las Melee struggles and what pilots can and cannot do when attacking another car for a position has been a reason for debate And controversy in recent years, with no consistent decisions of career management when penalizing or not very similar actions.
Thus, after the controversy arising from the aggressive defenses and attacks by Max Verstappen against Lando Norris in 2024 and other maneuversthe specialized portal ‘The race’ revealed a few days ago that in the last GP of Qatar of F1, The pilots met with the FIA to agree on some changes in the guidelines that the pilots have and that must be considered by the commissioners to apply sanctions In the struggles by position. And there was then a change in the rules of the game.
These are guidelines that are not written in the FIA regulations, a secret document that only disseminates pilots and equipment, with a series of key points that indicate what each pilot can do in attack and defense to gain the right to fight for a place and get it or maintain it without receiving sanction.
‘The Race’ got a copy of that document and revealed that for this year there has been an important change that explains the reason why Piastri was not sanctioned in Jeddah. Perhaps this also explains the reason why Verstappen did not receive a penalty when fighting with Norris in Miami despite the complaints of English, although this document speaks of offensive and non -defensive actions.
The change of 2025 (already applied in the race) with respect to 2024 is substantial. What is most modified is that now the pilots who attack the interior no longer have the need to leave the other car at the exit of the curve, but whatE can use the track as they decide, although this means closing the traced to the opponent or strangle it. To do this, they just need to do it demonstrating a controlled driving and without leaving the limits of the track.
-The guidelines that the pilots had in 2024:
- Have your front axle at least next to the mirror of the other car no later than the vertex of the curve.
- The car must be driven safely and controlled throughout the maneuver (input, vertex and exit).
- Without forcing (intentionally) to the other car out of the track at the exit of the curve. This includes leaving a fair and acceptable width for the car advanced from the vertex to the exit of the curve.
- Be able to take the curve within the limits of the track.
New 2025 guidelines, already applicable:
- Have the front axle at least next to the rearview of the other car before the vertex and at the vertex.
- Having driven fully controlled, especially from the entrance to the vertex, and not having thrown out of control.
- In the opinion of the commissioners, to have followed a reasonable race line and have been able to complete the maneuver remaining within the limits of the track.
In addition, these new guidelines are accompanied by another phrase in which the FIA indicates that “When a pilot who advances has priority, it is the responsibility of the pilot who defends to avoid a collision or force the pilot who advances,”.
A rule that can benefit Verstappen
One of the best wrestlers on the wheel of the grill is Max Verstappen, aggressive in all its actions and always forcing the limit of the regulation. In 2024 he already ‘strangled’ on several occasions to Lando Norris, without leaving space for the complaints of English. And with this change, he is in his right to do so without being sanctioned whenever he is attacking.
However, sometimes, these types of actions can also play against Max Verstappen, especially, If you find another pilot with the courage to replicate your actions. Oscar Piastri did it at the exit of the Saudi Arabia GP. He attacked Max Verstappen and opened, always within the limits of the track, not to leave Max space, as the new guidelines dictate. If he had done it in 2024, Piastri would have been sanctioned. In 2025, no. It is an important change in the rules of the game.
Result of the request of many pilots
The previous 2024 guidelines forced the pilot who goes inside the curve to leave the car out to trace the exit of it. According to the aforementioned medium, in the discussions of Qatar, most pilots considered that the sanctions for not leaving the other car at the exit of the turn were too hard if the pilot managed to pilot his car in a controlled way. In fact, Russell received a penalty for it due to an action against Bottas in Austin 2024 and already advanced this change by 2025.
“Many pilots agree that if you are the car that advances inside, the number one rule is that you have to be able to stay in the circuit. If you do, you are in your right to advance, as we have always done from the karting. If you advance someone inside, you are in your right,” he said.
