What is an F1 Formation Lap? A Calm Before the Storm

If you are a Formula 1 fan, then you must have seen the pre-race ritual followed every race by the Formula 1 drivers before the main race. It is called as the Formation lap which allows the teams and the drivers to plan and drive one last time before the main race starts.

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What is a Formation Lap?

It is a simple lap under controlled speed that allows the drivers and teams to test their cars tyres, engines, brakes and every other technical control one last time before the Green lights. The Lap can also be called the warmup Lap as drivers warm their tyres and get to know the track conditions. The first formation lap was introduced in the 1970s which was the first time safety became a concern among the organisers and drivers. During tough rainy days, the formation lap will help the drivers know the conditions directly.

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Importance of Formation Lap

There are many reasons F1 has a Formation lap before the actual race from assessing track conditions, heating the tyres, checking the controls, pre-race planning, best places for overtaking and many. The teams will also learn the track better once before the main race and based on the data they collect they could even alter the strategy for the race. It is also a chance for the organisers to check the race track’s safety and conditions to ensure it is safer to start the race.

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Rules to be followed

The Grid will be the same as the qualifying session. The driver who set the fastest lap in the qualifying session will start behind the safety car and the rest will follow him. The drivers should not overtake each other and the safety car during the formation lap. After the lap, they should start in their respective grids without any change. If any driver breaks the rules during the Formation lap then they will be handed penalties like Grid position demotions, time penalties, and disqualification from the race based on their level of rule break.

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