Ecclestone Confirms F1 Will Drop 2015 Standing Restart Rule
Formula One will not implement standing grid restarts after safety car periods in 2015, following criticism and safety concerns from teams and drivers.
Formula One will not proceed with plans to introduce standing grid restarts after safety car periods in 2015, Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed. The proposal, intended to inject more drama into races, faced strong opposition from teams and drivers concerned about safety and fairness.
The standing restart rule had already been written into the 2015 sporting regulations. Under the plan, whenever a safety car period ended, cars would have lined up on the grid for a full standing start, rather than resuming racing behind the safety car. The idea was to create more unpredictable racing and potentially shake up race results.
Why the rule was dropped
Teams and drivers quickly raised concerns about the risks of repeated standing starts, especially on circuits with narrow grids or in wet conditions. There were also worries about potential damage to cars, increased chances of first-corner collisions, and the fairness of forcing drivers to repeatedly defend hard-earned positions after a safety car intervention.
Ecclestone said the decision to abandon the rule came after seeing how the 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix played out. The race, which featured multiple safety car periods but no standing restarts, was widely regarded as one of the most entertaining of the season. Ecclestone pointed to this as evidence that Formula One does not need radical changes to deliver excitement.
Focus shifts to smaller rule changes
With the standing restart rule now off the table, Formula One stakeholders have signalled a preference for smaller adjustments rather than sweeping reforms. Ecclestone has called for less intrusive regulations and more freedom for drivers to race, arguing that the championship should be decided on track rather than by engineers or stewards. He also said officials have been instructed not to penalise drivers for every minor incident, aiming to encourage closer racing.
The debate over how to boost Formula One’s appeal continues, with some senior figures reportedly considering a taskforce to address the sport’s popularity. Names such as Christian Horner, Toto Wolff, Luca di Montezemolo and Vijay Mallya have been linked to this initiative, though Ecclestone has dismissed suggestions that Flavio Briatore would be brought in to lead it.
What it means for the 2015 season
The decision to drop standing grid restarts means races in 2015 will continue to resume from rolling starts behind the safety car, as has been the case for years. Teams and drivers can now focus on preparing for the season without the uncertainty of a major procedural change. The move also suggests that, for now, Formula One’s governing bodies are listening to feedback from the paddock and prioritising safety and sporting integrity over artificial drama.
For more on Formula One’s 2015 rule changes and their impact, seeF1 set for record-breaking pace in 2015, says Pirelli's Hembery.
