Martin Brundle calls for 'root and branch' Race Control change after 'heated arguments' in Monaco

Martin Brundle has used his Sky Sports column after the Monaco Grand Prix to call for a ‘root and branch’ change in Race Control.

The start of the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday was pushed back in anticipation of heavy weather, though the real downpour didn’t arrive until after the race had been scheduled to start.

Indeed, some felt as though the race could have at least started on time before the teams and drivers would have needed to react, as that is all part of Formula 1.

However, the decision was made based on a lack of wet weather running over the weekend, before a power outage further pushed the start of the race back and also made for a rolling start as the systems required were not ready to implement a standing start when we did get going.

Speaking in his column this week, then, Brundle took the opportunity to suggest that some changes are still needed in terms of Race Control, and he called for it to be the highest priority, whilst also revealing heated discussions were had during the hold up of the start of the race:

“Holding up a race in anticipation of incoming weather is not necessary. We have virtual and real safety cars, red flags, pit stop crews who can change tyres in two seconds, and two types of wet weather tyres to cover those challenges. That’s what Formula One racing is all about.

“A couple of reliable sources tell me that there were heated arguments in Race Control during the impasse as we all looked on unsure of what was happening. This presumably explains the periods of inaction and lack of information, and the reason why the safety car was not out exploring track conditions as usual.

“The FIA, for the well-being of F1, urgently needs a root and branch change with a fully dedicated and empowered