The FIA does not intend to change the procedure, which adds five seconds before the traditional light sequence, in Formula 1 starts in 2027. According to Nikolas Tombazis, the measure has already become an established step in the process.
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The FIA single-seater director explained that the five seconds are no longer directly related to the safety concerns that motivated the changes at the start of the season. The goal is to ensure that drivers and cars are properly prepared, considering that different cars may arrive on the grid at different times.
“I think the five seconds are already an established process, I don’t see why they would change in this regulation cycle. This has nothing to do with safety. It’s just about different cars arriving on the grid at different times, and the drivers need to be prepared to, let’s say, have a proper start,” said Tombazis.
This change was adopted this year, after the pre-season tests in Bahrain, when some teams had difficulties keeping the turbochargers at the ideal rotation before the start. The agreement established a five-second warning accompanied by flashing blue lights, when all cars are lined up after the formation lap.
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Meanwhile, the FIA developed a specific solution for the main safety problem identified in the first races, after a very slow start by Liam Lawson in Melbourne forced Franco Colapinto to swerve sharply. The ‘low power start detection system’ identifies an abnormally low acceleration and automatically activates the MGU-K to ensure a minimum level of acceleration.
Tombazis emphasized that the feature is exclusively for safety purposes and does not provide a competitive advantage. With this issue considered resolved, the FIA sees no reason to remove the additional five seconds from the pre-start procedure in 2027.
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