Formula 1\u2019s overtaking rules, or Driving Standards Guidelines, have become an increasingly talked-about factor of the sport in recent years.<\/p>\n
Introduced to clear up on-track incidents and help make the process of identifying possible penalties easier, here is a look at how Formula 1 drivers are expected to go racing.<\/p>\n
Formula 1\u2019s Driving Standards Guidelines<\/p>\n
The sport introduced its Driving Standards Guidelines for the first time in 2022, effectively providing written clarity on the \u2018right\u2019 and \u2018wrong\u2019 way to overtake, when drivers need to cede positions, and catering for as many scenarios as possible when racing on track.<\/p>\n
The FIA emphasises in the document that it standardises the process across all its categories, too, meaning drivers on the junior ladder now will be expected to know how to race fairly if and when they reach Formula 1 or other senior series.<\/p>\n
Crucially, though, these are guidelines and not regulations \u2013 meaning they are not enshrined within official FIA rules. Every on-track incident is viewed subjectively by the stewards, but the guidelines provide a standardised way that each contentious moment should be viewed.<\/p>\n
Formula 1\u2019s overtaking guidelines<\/p>\n
The most recent issue of the Driving Standards Guidelines states that, for drivers overtaking on the inside,\u00a0the car must have its front axle at least alongside the mirror of the other car prior to and at the apex of a corner, to be entitled to racing room.<\/p>\n
Also, the overtaking car must be driven in a \u201cfully controlled manner\u201d, and not be adjudged to have \u201cdived in\u201d to a corner, taking a reasonable racing line throughout and being able to remain within track limits, in the view of the stewards.<\/p>\n
For cars going around the outside, it is seen as a tougher manoeuvre, so to be entitled to racing room, overtaking drivers must have their front axle ahead of the defending car\u2019s front axle at the apex, while being able to round the corner within track limits.<\/p>\n
Both rules also apply to respective parts of chicanes and esses, but the FIA clarified that priority would be given at the first corner element \u2013 so, on a left-right combination, the overtaking driver would need priority at the left-hander.<\/p>\n
Track limits also play a part in overtaking, as drivers must not leave the track and gain a lasting advantage to overtake. If this happens, the driver to have overtaken will be required to hand the place back.<\/p>\n
Likewise, if the defending driver breaches track limits to maintain position, when an attacker was entitled to racing room, the defending driver will be required to cede position in a safe and timely manner or risk a penalty.<\/p>\n
F1 explained: More on the world of Formula 1 from PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n
Explained: F1\u2019s complex power unit upgrade system from 2026 onwards<\/a><\/p>\n F1 jargon decoded: Breaking down what key Formula 1 words mean<\/a><\/p>\n How defending a position is policed<\/p>\n If on a straight towards a corner, drivers defending a position are only allowed to conduct one defensive move to the inside or outside, meaning\u00a0weaving is strictly prohibited.<\/p>\n Likewise,\u00a0moving under braking is not allowed \u2013 so once a driver commits to the inside or outside line, they should stay there through the apex.<\/p>\n Crowding a driver is not allowed either, so if a driver is looking to overtake, turning so that the attacking driver is pushed outside track limits is prohibited.<\/p>\n These offences can all be considered forms of\u00a0impeding, which also forbids drivers from blocking another\u2019s path on track in the context of racing.<\/p>\n How attacking a position is policed<\/p>\n Drivers are not allowed to simply \u2018divebomb\u2019 their way past a rival if it means getting ahead, but the Driving Standards Guidelines to place emphasis on promoting \u2018hard and competitive\u2019 racing throughout, incentivising overtaking as much as possible.<\/p>\n The rules are less stringent on attackers as a result.<\/p>\n Because every contentious overtaking move will have subjective factors attached, however, the Driving Standards Guidelines offer the following for the stewards to consider when deliberating:<\/p>\n How did the cars get to the incident? (E.g. late braking, diving in, moving under braking.) Alongside these points, as mentioned above, an attacking driver must keep their car under full control when overtaking, complete the move within track limits and take a reasonable racing line while doing so.<\/p>\n Should an attacking driver meet the requirement of having enough of the car alongside the defending driver as per the rules listed surrounding the inside or outside, however, the Driving Standards Guidelines state that the attacking driver has priority, meaning it is then incumbent on the defending driver to not force the attacker off track or cause a collision.<\/p>\n Penalties available to stewards when offences take place<\/p>\n The FIA made a full list of offences and the potential punishments attached available to the public in mid-2025, in a bid to improve transparency around stewarding decisions that were taking place.<\/p>\n
\nWas the manoeuvre late or \u201coptimistic\u201d?
\nWhat could the drivers reasonably see, know, or anticipate?
\nDo we believe the manoeuvre could be completed on the track?
\nWas there understeer \/ oversteer \/ locking?
\nDid someone position \/ handle their car in a way that contributed to the incident?
\nDid the type of corner contribute to the incident? (e.g. camber, kerbs, curve, apexes)
\nWhat were the relative tyres \/ tyre age \/ grip?<\/p>\n