Binotto demands further investigation: 'Rules are not clear enough'

The numerous grid penalties for the Dutch Grand Prix and Italian Grand Prix created a striking starting grid at both races. Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto thinks this situation should not be allowed and is demanding action from the FIA.

At the Dutch and Italian Grand Prix, the long 2022 F1 season is well over halfway through. It appeared that around these races, most teams did use the maximum number of engine parts allowed. No team escaped penalties. Some teams did still try to replace the different engine parts at different times during the weekend to avoid receiving the heaviest grid penalty. At Alfa Romeo, this succeeded for Valtteri Bottas in the Dutch GP. The Finn was not put at the very back like the other six drivers with grid penalties.

A confusing situation arose partly because of these tricks. The making of the starting grid in the Netherlands and Italy was stultifying, according to Binotto. The past two races caused divergent opinions and discussion about grid penalties in F1. According to the British Express Binotto says that the FIA has to take action. Among other things, Binotto calls for expanding the number of engines allowed.

Binotto: "The reason why it took so long [determining the starting grid] was that there were many different interpretations. The rules are not clear enough. That's something we need to look at for the future; not only how we determine the starting grid after the penalties, but I also think the size of the grid penalties is too big. Maybe the three engines per driver are too little at the stage for what we have achieved."