Procedure included in the Race Director’s notes
The starting point with the new 2026 rules has raised debates about the potential danger resulting from cars forced to start ‘in slow motion’ because the drivers would not have had the time necessary to increase the revs necessary to cancel the delay due to turbo-lag.
In the Race Director’s notes relating to the Australian GP it was included that when the starting line-up is complete after the formation lap five seconds of ‘pre-start’ will be given to allow all pilots to get the turbo rpm up to speed.
In these five seconds, blue panels will flash, then at that point the actual starting procedure will begin with the progressive switching on of the five lights on the traffic lights. Active aerodynamics will be operable after Turn-1.
