Round 5

ITALIAN GRAND PRIX

01 - 04 March 2021

From: Race Director

To: All Drivers

Document: Driver's Briefing

1. Matters arising from the Japanese Grand Prix

Retiring on track during qualifying.
Retiring on track during the race.
Contact between drivers on formation lap.
On the grid (strategy selection), "readying up" before instructed by league admin(s).
Drivers showing little, or no caution at the race start.
Drivers attempted high-risk overtakes.
Drivers not adjusting their lines when alongside others.

2. Qualifying

A short qualifying session (18 minutes) will determine the starting order for the Italian Grand Prix.
The Realistic Performance Leagues (PS/Xbox) will return to determining the starting grid order with a qualifying session.
No driver is to drive unnecessarily slowly during "in or out" laps throughout qualifying, and must proceed at a safe and reasonable pace.
Drivers on an "in or out" lap must not block or impede drivers on a qualifying lap, they must stay off the racing line when practical and ensure they give themselves sufficient time to clear the corner when a faster driver is approaching.
Drivers must ensure they leave themselves sufficient space on track when preparing for a qualifying lap.
Drivers who are on a qualifying lap are not required to yield track position to a faster driver approaching from behind.
All drivers must retire from the qualifying session while entering the pit-lane, or while in their garage. No driver is to retire while on track.
Drivers are not permitted to exit the pitlane at the end of the qualifying session unless they have sufficient time to complete their outlap without the need to cut sections of the track to make it to the start/finish line to begin a qualifying lap. Drivers who leave the pitlane with insufficient time remaining in the session will be investigated by the stewards; particularly if you affect drivers on a qualifying lap.
For guidelines on safe retirement, refer to section 8.

3. Tyre Allocation & Mandatory Race Tyres

The following tyre compounds will be used for the Italian Grand Prix.

Drivers must use a minimum of one set of the designated mandatory tyre compounds.
Drivers must use two of the three available dry tyre compounds during the race event.
If weather conditions require a driver to use a wet tyre compound, then they are not required to use two different dry tyre compounds during the race event.

4. Race Event

The race will consist of 27 laps.
The race will commence after a Formation Lap.
Drivers will be required to complete a minimum of one mandatory pit-stop, unless weather conditions require the use of the "wet weather" compounds then drivers are not required to complete a pit-stop.
Stewards will pay particular attention to driving standards, track limits, returning to the race track and pit-entry and exit.
Stewards will pay particular attention at the race start this week; focusing on Turns 1 and 2, and Turns 4 and 5.
Drivers who are found to present a risk at the race start to other competitors will be investigated after the race.
Drivers must complete 90% race distance to be classified in the race results.
For guidelines on safe retirement, refer to section 8.

5. Lines/Bollards at Pit Entry & Pit Exit

Drivers must keep to the right of the solid white line at the pit exit when leaving the pits. No part of any car leaving the pits may cross this line.
Drivers must keep to the right of the bollard at pit-entry when they are entering the pits for safety reasons.
Except in the cases of force majeure (accepted as such by the Stewards), the crossing by any part of the car, in any direction, of the painted area between the pit entry and the track, by a driver who, in the opinion of the Stewards, had committed to entering the pit lane is prohibited.
The dotted white line across the pit exit is the track edge line.

6. Track Limits

Drivers are required to adhere to the track limits at all times which are defined by the white line.
Turns 1 and 2, four rows of polystyrene blocks have been placed in the escape road. In order to ensure that cars are able to rejoin the track safely, any driver using the escape road must go around the end of each of these rows and rejoin the track at the end of the escape road. Drivers may only use the grass if it is clearly unavoidable.
Turn 5, any driver going straight and who misses the black and yellow bumps placed before the apex kerb of Turn 5 must stay to the right of the yellow line and the bollard, and may then rejoin the track at the far end of the asphalt run-off area after the exit of Turn 5.
Drivers who require to use the escape road at Turns 1 and 2; or at Turn 5 must rejoin the track in adherence to the guidelines. Drivers who are judged to have rejoined the circuit unsafely, or those that have been deemed as gaining an advantage will be investigated by the stewards.
Prior to rejoining the track, drivers must "lift off", ensuring they rejoin the track without impeding other drivers, or require drivers to take avoiding action. Drivers who rejoin the track in an unsafe manner will be investigated by the stewards after the race.
In all cases detailed above, the driver must only rejoin the track when it is safe to do so and without gaining a lasting advantage.
The above requirements will not automatically apply to any driver who is judged to have been forced off the track, each such case will be judged individually.

7. Lapping During the Race

Drivers who are caught by another car about to lap them must allow the driver on the lead lap past at the first available opportunity, avoiding hindering or blocking the passing driver unnecessarily. Blue flags will be waved, signaling that a faster driver is approaching and is looking to overtake. Drivers who are a lap down (backmarkers) must yield position and allow the lead drivers to pass.
Drivers who have unnecessarily hindered the leaders will receive a penalty from the stewards in accordance of Regulation 3.3.7.2.

8. Retiring from Qualifying & Race Event

Drivers who wish to retire from the qualifying session or race event must do so according to Regulation 3.5.9.
Drivers are to proceed safely to the pit-lane, avoiding the racing line when possible.
Avoid hindering or blocking other drivers on track, or force them into avoiding action.
Ensure you have sufficient time and space to clear corner and apexes.
Drivers intending to retire may have to pull off to the side of the circuit if necessary, giving way to other drivers.
When crossing the pit-entry line, retire from the session.