FIA to amend last-lap safety car rules

F1’s governing body on Thursday admitted a “lack of clarity” in the rules led to the last-lap Monaco controversy.

When the safety car returned to the pits on the final lap of Sunday’s famous street race, Michael Schumacher passed Fernando Alonso and was subsequently handed a 20-second penalty by the stewards.

Mercedes vowed to appeal the decision but ultimately decided not to proceed, with the FIA now admitting the incident “showed a lack of clarity in the application of the rule prohibiting overtaking behind the safety car”.

“Adjustments to the regulations are necessary”, the Paris body explained in a statement.

The problem of the flashing green lights and waving of green flags is also to be addressed, with the FIA vowing to ensure “that the signalling for teams and drivers is made more clear”.

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