FIA formalises virtual safety car rules

As part of the publication of the 2015 Formula One regulations, the FIA has finalised the details of the new virtual safety car system in an attempt to improve safety while marshals are on track.

The Sporting Regulations stipulate the VSC procedure may be initiated to neutralise a race upon the order of the clerk of the course. It will normally be used when double waved yellow flags are needed on any section of track and competitors or officials may be in danger, but the circumstances are not such as to warrant use of the safety car itself.

"When the order is given to initiate the VSC procedure a message "VSC DEPLOYED" will be displayed on the official messaging system and all FIA light panels will display “VSC”."

Under these conditions, "No car may be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person at any time whilst the VSC procedure is in use. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit
entry or the pit lane."

No car may enter the pits whilst the VSC procedure is in use unless it is for the purpose of changing tyres.

All competing cars must reduce speed and stay above the minimum time set by the FIA ECU at least once in each marshalling sector (a marshalling sector is defined as the section of track between each of the FIA light panels). All cars must also be above this minimum time when the FIA light panels change to green (see 41.7 below).

Evidently, stewards may impose penalties on any driver who fails to stay above the minimum time as required by the above.

When it is deemed safe to race again, the message "VSC ENDING" will be displayed on the official messaging system and, at any time between 10 and
15 seconds later, “VSC” on the FIA light panels will change to green and drivers may continue racing immediately. After 30 seconds the green lights will be extinguished.

Each lap completed whist the VSC procedure is in use will be counted as a race lap, as with the normal safety car.