Sebastian Vettel’s VSC loophole arguments were initially brushed aside by the FIA, as Charlie Whiting felt that the system was full-proof.
However, in a recent revelation, Whiting admitted the fact that there indeed is a loophole in the current VSC system that allows drivers to gain 150 milliseconds, which is good enough in the sport of F1.
Vettel’s comments came right after the Spanish GP wherein he surrendered a comfortable lead at the top of the pack because of the introduction of the VSC.
“The FIA is supplying us with a system that makes us follow a delta time,” he explained. “But I think everybody’s aware you can have a faster way to go under VSC than just follow the delta – by saving distance
“Everybody’s doing it so I don’t think it’s a secret,” he said. “We should have a system that hasn’t got this loophole, because it forces us to drive ridiculous lines around the track.” Vettel said.
Whiting has now come out and said that the loophole has been identified to the core and the FIA are working towards getting a bulletproof system in place.
“Yes, I’ve worked it out now,” said Whiting.
“The calculation that the system does every 50 metres is based on the distance from the timing line.
“So, if you can shorten that, you can gain tiny fractions.
“The way we’ve calculated it with our software guys is you can possibly gain about 150 milliseconds [per lap]. But in Formula 1 that’s worth having.
“That’s the extent of it, as far as it was explained to be me by our software people.
“We can rectify it, and make it a bit more bulletproof.” he added.
