Martin Brundle Proposes Fixes to Prevent Safety Car Race Finishes

Martin Brundle has urged Formula 1 to fix its safety car procedures after the recent British Grand Prix ended with what he called a "massive tease" for fans. Max Verstappen's late spin into the gravel triggered a safety car, but a software error briefly suggested the field would restart for a final lap before the race finished under caution.

Why it matters:

Finishing behind the safety car frustrates spectators and denies leaders any chance to defend their positions in the closing stages. Current rules require one full racing lap after lapped cars are waved through, a window that often disappears when incidents occur inside the final five laps, forcing the field to end in single file.

The details:

• The FIA confirmed a software glitch caused the premature message at Silverstone, though officials insisted they followed sporting regulations by completing one lap after the unlapping order.
• Brundle suggested an IndyCar-style fix where lapped cars peel into the pit lane during the final 10 laps and rejoin at the back, avoiding time-consuming on-track wave-bys.
• He also proposed simply dropping lapped runners behind the pack or throwing a red flag for a standing restart, though he conceded the latter requires significant time to organize.
• He noted the current rules already confuse teams, citing Carlos Sainz's post-race penalty at Silverstone where the pit lane layout caused him to be classified as lapped despite being in contention.

What's next:

Any changes would need the FIA and teams to simplify how lapped cars are defined, particularly at circuits where pit lane entries alter track distance. While red flag restarts remain popular with fans for producing dramatic finishes, the priority is finding a practical solution that preserves safety without punishing drivers who have earned their track position.