F1 admit drivers can gain time through VSC loophole

After the Spanish GP where in Vettel had to settle for P4 after leading for most part of the race, the German had raised some serious concerns about the Virtual Safety Car and how drivers were taking advantage of a loophole in the system.

“It’s the same for everyone but the FIA is supplying us with a system that makes us follow a delta time, and everybody has to slow down by, I think, 40 percent, but I think everybody’s aware you can have a faster way to go under VSC than just follow the delta – by saving distance,

“So, I think we should have a system that hasn’t got this loophole, because it forces us to drive ridiculous lines around the track and everybody’s doing it so I don’t think it’s a secret.” Vettel said.

At that point Whiting had rubbished Vettel’s comments, saying he didn’t know what loophole Vettel was talking about, as to his knowledge there was none.

However, after the Montreal race, Whiting has confirmed that there in fact is a loophole that is currently being exploited by the drivers.

“Yes, I understand it now,” said Whiting

“The calculation that the system makes every 50 meters is based on the distance from the finish line, and if you can reduce that distance you will win a minimum 150 milliseconds” (0.150 seconds) per lap and in F1 that is worth something” he added.

Whiting has ensured that the FIA will sit with the VSC software people and get this loophole problem sorted.

“We can correct that and make it a bit safer (against abuse).” Whiting said.