The on-track bicycle ban has been met with criticism by F1 drivers including Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
Before every F1 race is what is known as a ‘track walk.’ These track walks take place ahead of different races – Grands Prix in F1 speak – as a way for drivers to familiarize themselves with the course. They see the asphalt conditions, the turns, where they could shave a thousandth of a second, and they often do it by bicycle.
At least, not anymore, thanks to a ban by Formula One Management (FOM).
The ban states:
“To clarify and to avoid future misunderstanding, the use of any means of transport (bicycles, e-bikes, scooters, e-scooters, etc) is forbidden during the time window stated as ‘Team Track Walks’ on the Event Timetable. No exceptions will be allowed. This decision has been agreed with the FIA.”
First reported by Motorsport.com, the ban has been met with plenty of derision by drivers who might not even participate in future track walks. Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc said:
“I didn’t walk around, and as I think they’ve just issued a new thing where we cannot go around the track with a bicycle you probably won’t see me around the track anymore, and I’ll just watch the videos.”
There tends to be a connection between F1 drivers and bicycles. Recently-retired Sebastian Vettel was well-known for showing up to races by bike. Aston Martin F1 Racing Team driver Lance Stroll has been racing through fractures in his hands due to a crash riding his bike in Spain. Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso was hit by a motorist in 2021 while riding his bicycle as well.
Valtteri Bottas even has his own gravel bike ride in Finland, done in conjunction with pro cyclist Tiffany Cromwell and SBT GRVL founder Amy Charity.
Oddly enough, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix track in Jeddah was closed during track walkarounds for the filming of a music video by artist Will.I.Am. It remains to be seen whether FOM will introduce a Will.I.Am on-track exemption.
Source : Cycling Tips
