Confirmed
FIA confirms 'pre-start procedure' for 2027 Formula 1 season
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis confirmed the pre-start procedure will remain in F1 for the 2027 season.
The 'pre-start procedure' will remain in Formula 1 for the 2027 season. FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis confirmed this development. The procedure was introduced after driver feedback during winter testing this year.
Pre-Start Procedure Details
The pre-start procedure consists of a five-second warning. Blue flashing lights on the grid signal its commencement. This occurs once all cars are in position following the formation lap. Teams requested more time to prepare for starts. This allowed for turbocharger spooling and rev building. Ferrari initially opposed these requests due to their smaller turbocharger. Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari Team Principal, made it clear that the five-second compromise was the maximum acceptable for the Scuderia, according to Motorsport.com.
Rationale for Retention
Nikolas Tombazis stated the five-second pre-start is an established process. He does not foresee changes within the current regulatory cycle. Tombazis indicated the procedure is not primarily a safety measure. Its purpose is to allow drivers sufficient time to prepare for a proper start. This accounts for varying arrival times of cars on the grid. "I think the five seconds are an established process now, I don't see why it would change in this regulation cycle," Tombazis told select media, according to Motorsport.com. He added: "That does not have to do with safety. It has just to do with having different cars arriving on the grid at different times, and drivers need to be able to prepare in order to have, let's say, a proper start".
Safety Protocols
Safety concerns surrounding the start have largely been addressed. Tombazis clarified that the 'electrical part' of the starting sequence is more safety-focused. This refers to a safety net established by the FIA. Its aim is to prevent incidents like the one at the Australian Grand Prix. There, Liam Lawson had a very slow start from his grid slot. Franco Colapinto narrowly avoided a collision.
Finnish Driver Perspective
Valtteri Bottas, the Finnish driver for Sauber, is currently 21st in the Drivers' Championship with 0 points. The confirmed retention of the pre-start procedure affects all drivers on the grid, including Bottas. It ensures consistent starting conditions across all races in 2027. The next F1 round is the Dutch Grand Prix, with the first session on Friday, August 21st, at 13:30 Finnish time.
Status And Sources
This story is labelled Confirmed, which means the people involved have said this on the record. The rules behind those labels are in the editorial policy, and the desk that published it is Eero Lahtinen.
Written from the following reporting. Each link goes to the newsroom's own page, not to an aggregator:
- Motorsport.commotorsport.com
