Planet-F1

Kubica not in favour of proposed SC system

Monday 30th June 2008

Robert Kubica has spoken out against the proposed Safety Car system that the FIA had the teams test in France two weeks ago.

This year's Championship saw the introduction of new Safety Car rules that have proven to be more of a disaster than a help as the pit lane is closed when the Safety Car is deployed.

This means that should the Safety Car come out when a driver needs to refuel he is forced to take a drive-through penalty or risk his race coming to an end with an empty fuel tank.

This new rule has already caught out some teams with Kubica's team-mate Nick Heidfeld paying the price at the Spanish GP

"Of course the Safety Car rule now, with the pit lane closure, is a big penalty for those drivers who are just about to pit, and it can screw up your race," Kubica told the team's website.

"It has happened already this year and in the end it can ruin your whole Championship."

After numerous complaints the FIA tested a new system in Friday's free practice for the French GP. Under this new set-up should the Safety Car take to the track, the drivers have five seconds, in which to push a button on the steering wheel.

This activates an electronic programme, which allows the drivers to continue provided their lap times are within a defined range as shown on their display.

However, this new system hasn't been warmly received either.

"I think it is too complicated and I don't know whether or not we'll use it in the end," said Kubica.

"What happens if someone notices the Safety Car 200 metres later, meaning he activates (the speed limiter) a bit later, and therefore gains an advantage?"

But while the Canadian GP race winner isn't in favour of the latest suggestion he acknowledges the difficult task the FIA have finding a solution that everyone is happy with.

"It's quite a tricky situation. There are positive and negative sides to different solutions, so in the end it will never be 100% perfect, but I think we can make it more perfect than it is now," he said.