Stefan Johansson, a former Formula 1 racer and Le Mans winner, has raised questions about the prevailing “obsession” in preventing Safety Car endings to Grand Prix races. His statement came in the aftermath of the chaotic conclusion to the Australian Grand Prix, which witnessed two red flags in quick succession, as a result of an attempted standing restart that ended in multiple collisions.
Johansson has expressed his concern that the desire to end races under green flag conditions is leading to some questionable decision-making, which he considers to be “unfair”. While the Sporting Regulations do not stipulate this rule, the teams had reached an agreement with the FIA to end Grand Prix races under green flag conditions whenever possible. However, this has resulted in some farcical and infamous endings to races, such as the final lap at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and the Australian Grand Prix that eventually ended under the Safety Car.
According to Johansson, the current state of affairs is indicative of the blurred lines between sport and entertainment under the leadership of Liberty Media. He further added that such antics are not only unfair but are also potentially dangerous.
Johansson’s comments highlight a growing concern within the motorsport community that the push towards entertainment could be compromising safety standards. While the move to enhance the spectacle of F1 racing is understandable, it is imperative that such attempts do not come at the expense of the safety of drivers and teams involved in the sport.
