F1 drivers banned from driving bicycles on monitor walks

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Earlier than each F1 race is what is called a ‘monitor stroll.’ These monitor walks happen forward of various races – Grands Prix in F1 communicate – as a method for drivers to familiarize themselves with the course. They see the asphalt circumstances, the turns, the place they may shave a thousandth of a second, they usually usually do it by bicycle.

A minimum of, not anymore, because of a ban by Components One Administration (FOM).

Using a motorcycle brings a smile to Sergio Perez, a driver for Oracle Redbull Racing (Picture: Mark Thompson/Getty Photographs)

The ban states: 

“To make clear and to keep away from future misunderstanding, the usage of any technique of transport (bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, e-scooters, and many others) is forbidden in the course of the time window acknowledged as ‘Group Observe Walks’ on the Occasion Timetable. No exceptions will likely be allowed. This choice has been agreed with the FIA.”

Learn extra: The bike trip that reworked Valtteri Bottas right into a bicycle owner

First reported by Motorsport.com, the ban has been met with loads of derision by drivers who won’t even take part in future monitor walks. Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc mentioned:

“I didn’t stroll round, and as I believe they’ve simply issued a brand new factor the place we can not go across the monitor with a bicycle you in all probability received’t see me across the monitor anymore, and I’ll simply watch the movies.”

There tends to be a connection between F1 drivers and bicycles. Not too long ago-retired Sebastian Vettel was well-known for displaying as much as races by bike. Aston Martin F1 Racing Group driver Lance Stroll has been racing by means of fractures in his fingers as a result of a crash driving his bike in Spain. Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso was hit by a motorist in 2021 whereas driving his bicycle as nicely.

Valtteri Bottas even has his personal gravel bike trip in Finland, completed together with professional bicycle owner Tiffany Cromwell and SBT GRVL founder Amy Charity.

Oddly sufficient, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix monitor in Jeddah was closed throughout monitor walkarounds for the filming of a music video by artist Will.I.Am. It stays to be seen whether or not FOM will introduce a Will.I.Am on-track exemption.