Start delayed due to power failure

The Monaco Grand Prix started more than an hour late, which was not only due to the rain that started when all the cars were on the grid and the orchestra had already played the principality’s national anthem.

In fact, the rain stopped long before the race actually started, and some riders wondered why they had to wait so long, and now they want an answer from the grand prix organizers.

Lewis Hamilton, for example, spoke about it after the finish: “I’m not saying it was a mistake, but I don’t know why we couldn’t start right away. Yet we are Formula 1 drivers and bad weather is not a good reason.

I just want to say this. I thought we should have started when it was still drizzling lightly. We will address this issue at the next driver’s briefing as the race had to start on time.”

We already quoted the words of Valtteri Bottas, who also believes that Formula 1 should address the causes of what happened and draw conclusions.

The main reason for the delay was explained by the FIA ​​as follows: “The Race Directorate was monitoring a rapidly approaching strong rain front and when it reached the track during the starting procedure, the start was given behind the safety car, and the related procedures have been carried out. This was done for safety reasons as no one has been working on the wet track for the past few days of the weekend.”

But the federation spokesman also added that the start was delayed for so long due to power cuts to electronic start systems, including traffic lights and light panels installed along the entire track. In addition, these problems also affected some of the television equipment.

After more than an hour, the race started, but the start was given behind the safety car, as there were concerns that the start signal would not work as it should.

However, the quirks continued over the course of the Grand Prix, when Mick Schumacher had a serious accident in the pool and his car was simply torn in half.

It was clear that the race had to be stopped immediately, but management first announced the introduction of a virtual safety car mode, after which a real safety car took off, and only then did red flags appear.

As explained by the FIA, “first of all it was necessary to neutralize the race so that it was safe on track, and then the safety car was in place – this prevented unnecessary overtaking, which could delay the evacuation procedure.”

The restart was again given behind the safety car, and all for the same reason – due to the risk of light signal failure. As a result, due to all the delays, the race distance had to be reduced from 78 to 64 laps and the Grand Prix ended when the 3 hour period had elapsed from the originally scheduled start time.