Safety Car Malfunction Adds Chaos at Qatar GP

During the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, a malfunction with the Safety Car’s lights caused significant confusion among drivers, including Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri. They reported that the Safety Car’s lights remained on, complicating their understanding of when the car would return to the pits. Verstappen highlighted the chaos this uncertainty created, particularly during crucial moments of the race. Despite these challenges, he managed to secure victory, followed by Leclerc and Piastri.

The race also saw the deployment of a backup Safety Car due to the technical issue. Verstappen faced difficulties particularly during a second restart while driving on hard tires, which affected his grip. Although the FIA communicated verbally about the restart timings, the malfunctioning lights contributed to the race's overall unpredictability. Additionally, Verstappen’s expected rivalry with Lando Norris was dampened by a time penalty imposed on Norris, further adding to the dramatic tension of the event.