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FIA president Jean Todt says that Jules Bianchi’s accident should never be allowed to happen again, and the governing body will use race director Charlie Whiting’s report on Suzuka as a springboard for safety improvements.

One key element will be to address the perennial problem of drivers not slowing down sufficiently for waved yellow flags, which mean slow down and be prepared to stop.

“There are some things to learn,” said Whiting today. “And we want to engage with all the teams and drivers to make sure that we come up with good, sound and well thought through ideas. One of the most important things that we learned here is it’s probably better to take the decision to slow down away from the drivers.

“I think it’s better to try and put in place a system where it’s much clearer to everybody how much we think cars should slow down under similar circumstances, starting tomorrow morning with a meeting with all the teams to discuss exactly that – a way of trying to impose, for want of a better expression, a speed limit. It probably won’t be a speed limit as such, but there will be a way of controlling the speed with complete certainty and complete clarity.

“It would have the same effect as a safety car almost, because if you slowed everyone down to a certain pace, they would hold position relative to one another, so it would be almost the same as the first two laps whenever you deploy a safety car. And if it’s a short intervention you can probably do exactly the same thing, but without a safety car itself.

“I think what we really want drivers to do is to slow down to a given and well known speed in the relevant place. You need to give drivers warning of what’s going to come, and then they need time to make the necessary adjustments.”

One likely idea is to use the ‘delta’ time system which is already used when the safety car first goes out, but limit it to the sector where the incident is.

“What we could do is to effectively deploy the safety car, but not send the safety car out,. You’d do exactly what you’d do now. The drivers will all see the safety car delta display on their dashboard, and they will follow that. Normally what happens now is they have to follow that, keep positive to the safety car delta, and the Safety Car 1 line, which is before the pit entrance. As long as they are positive by that point, then they are legal.

“What we are thinking of doing is to extend that requirement so that the driver has to be positive all the way through the double yellow sector. Taking Suzuka as an example from Turn 6 you’d have to be positive all the way through those two yellow sectors. That’s one of a number of ways we are considering – there are a few ideas coming in from various sources at the moment. We want to try and make it clear to the drivers what sort of speed they need to drive through that sector.”

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says he’s not happy that Christian Horner chose to reveal details of this morning’s F1 Strategy Group meeting, in which three Mercedes teams opposed an engine unfreeze for 2015.

Horner made it clear that he was frustrated by Mercedes initially supporting an unfreeze and then changing its mind. In today’s meeting the works team, Williams and 2015 customer Lotus all voted against a change, but lost out on a majority vote (see earlier story). The plan will now go to the F1 Commission.

“First of all I’m very surprised to hear comments like this,” Wolff told this writer. “Because we had a strategy group this morning, and what we discuss in strategy group meetings is what it says, strategy, and not something that should go to the public.

“No decision has been made because it has to go to the F1 Commission and the World Motor Sport Council, so talking about unfinished business is not how I expect meetings to go.

“We are having discussions all over the year about regulations, and in that case there are some ideas out there, how to change the regulations for next year and the year after, and it’s normal discussion.

“As I said, I’m very surprised that we talk about these things in public. This is a Strategy Group, and what we need to avoid is to make a big wave before decisions are being made. If you understand the process, the Strategy Group makes recommendations to the F1 Commission, and the F1 Commission makes the vote. Nothing else has happened.”

Regarding the principle of an ‘unfreeze’ he said: “I think what we need is no knee-jerk reactions in F1, we need stability. This is not because of my own agenda, because we have the best engine and we want to immobilise or freeze the situation. We have rules, the rules have been written down, some clever people thought about the rules. If we want to change them, let’s discuss them, let’s follow them, let’s follow the governance, and let’s see if it make sense or not. And we are the first ones to follow intelligent ideas.”

The F1 Strategy Group has agreed to an engine ‘unfreeze’ for 2015 which would allow in-season development – but the plan now has to be voted through by the F1 Commission.

Christian Horner said today that the teams had agreed in Singapore, but Mercedes and its customers subsequently changed their minds.

The Strategy Group, which is compromised of six teams, Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt, requires only a majority vote for ideas to go forward. It’s understood that in today’s meeting that Ecclestone, Todt, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull voted for the unfreeze, and Mercedes, Lotus and Williams opposed it. As Ecclestone and Todt have six votes each, the outcome was presumably 15-3 in favour.

Rule changes for 2015 have to receive the unanimous approval of the F1 Commission, on which all teams are represented by their bosses, along with other key stakeholders, namely Ecclestone (as its chairman), Todt as FIA president, eight race promoters, Pirelli, two sponsors (Rolex and Marlboro), and an engine supplier (Renault).

Thus in order for the unfreeze to proceed the three Mercedes teams – plus presumably Force India – will have to be convinced to support it in the Commission.

In effect they will have to agree that it will be good for the sport to give the other engine makers more of a chance to catch up.

“In Singapore, the teams unanimously agreed on a position,” said Horner. “And then, I think, subsequently from that meeting, Mercedes changed their position.

“We’ve subsequently had a strategy meeting and it’s been voted on a majority basis for that to go through to the Formula 1 Commission for in-season upgrades to be allowed.

“We’ll see what the outcome of the Formula 1 Commission vote is. The FIA are in support, FOM are in support, obviously the non-Mercedes teams are in support. So we’ll see what that holds in approximately a month’s time.

“Frozen engines: this is not Formula 1,” said Ferrari’s Marco Mattiacci. “I agree with Christian. Now we’ve had the majority of the vote to go ahead and unfreeze the engine, let’s see what’s going to happen with the F1 Commission.”

Lewis Hamilton was fastest in Sochi in FP2 on a day when team mate Nico Rosberg didn’t do a representative time on new option tyres.

“I think it’s been good,” he said. “I generally feel comfortable on new circuits, just learning them, growing up that’s a skill you have to learn quite quickly. The car has been feeling very good today.

“The track was getting gripper and grippier and rubbering in quite a lot. There’s a nice flow you can get on this track, I’m really enjoying it.”

Hamilton admitted he was surprised by the pace of McLaren today.

“The McLarens are very close, which is good for everyone really, to be having a race. They had a great race in the last race, there pace was really good, especially with Jenson. I don’t know whether they made a step this weekend, but they are looking good. We’ll see how it is tomorrow.”

Meanwhile Hamilton admitted it was difficult to put the events of Suzuka out of his mind: “I have to say it wasn’t easy getting in the car this morning and really getting back into it all. It wasn’t easy. But this afternoon, once you get into the flow of things and the circuit, it feels a little bit more comfortable.”

Marussia has confirmed that it will run only one car in Russia this weekend, despite reserve driver Alex Rossi being entered and on standby.

The team has now officially withdrawn the car, which remains in the garage carrying Bianchi’s number 17. It was clearly a difficult decision to make, given that racing both cars in Bianchi’s honour was one possible course of action.

Team boss John Booth meanwhile is still in Japan, with Bianchi’s family and his manager Nicolas Todt.

The full statement from the team reads: “The Marussia F1 Team will run a single car for the duration of the forthcoming grand prix weekend in Sochi, out of respect for their driver Jules Bianchi, who remains in hospital in Yokkaichi, Japan, in a critical but stable condition.

“The Team have written to the Stewards of the Meeting to inform them that they have withdrawn their second car. Notwithstanding the presence in Sochi of Alexander Rossi, the nominated Official Reserve Driver for the 2014 Russian Grand Prix, the Team feels strongly that fielding a single car, that of driver number 4, Max Chilton, is the appropriate course of action under the difficult circumstances of the weekend.

“Jules’ car crew have built a second car, which has been scrutineered and is ready to race, and this will remain on his side of the garage throughout the weekend. In support of Jules and his family, the Team and their cars will carry the familiar #JB17 graphic, to ensure that although Jules is not with them in Sochi this weekend, he is, nonetheless, racing on with the Marussia F1 Team.”

Max Chilton said: “I don’t know how to put into words how truly devastated I am by what has happened to Jules. The support from the F1 family has been incredible and all we can do is be there to support Jules’ family at this difficult time. It is going to be a very emotional weekend for the whole Team, but we will try to get through it and keep praying for Jules.”

Meanwhile it remains to be see whether Rossi gets the opportunity to compete at his home race in Austin.

Lotus has now formally confirmed that it will use Mercedes power from next season, after the team successfully completed the paperwork for its exit from Renault.

The deal, first revealed here on June 24, will last “until the end of the current Power Unit generation,” and as part of it Lotus will become a partner of Petronas. The Enstone team will continue to build its own gearbox.

“We intend to return to the front of the field with the goals of winning Grands Prix and being a strong championship contender once more,” said Lotus F1 CEO Matthew Carter. “And we see this new agreement as one step towards this aim. The Mercedes-Benz Power Unit has shown good performance on track and it is our goal to marry this motive force to Enstone’s chassis expertise. It is our desire that the E23 Hybrid, powered by Mercedes-Benz, heralds a new era of success for Enstone. At this juncture we would also like to thank Renault, who have been so closely associated with the team over its history and for the joint success we have achieved together.”

Andy Cowell, Managing Director of Mercedes AMG HPP said: “Lotus F1 Team is a strong technical group with excellent facilities and I am confident that together we will deliver a step forward in track performance next year. In 2014, the organisation at Brixworth has demonstrated that it can support three customer teams to the high standards expected of Mercedes-Benz, in addition to our focus on the works Silver Arrows. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to continuing doing so from 2015, as we seek to make further gains in both performance and reliability.”

Toto Wolff added: “It was strategically important for Mercedes-Benz to continue to supply three customers throughout this generation of Power Unit, in addition to the primary focus on our Silver Arrows works team, and it was therefore clear that we would be looking for a new customer from 2015. Lotus F1 Team is an impressive organisation that has delivered competitive on-track performances in recent seasons. We are pleased to welcome them to the Mercedes-Benz family and look forward to building a productive and performant working relationship in the years ahead.”

Here’s my story from June: https://adamcooperf1.com/2014/06/24/could-lotus-switch-to-mercedes-power-from-2015/

There has been no official announcement from Marussia yet but the FIA entry list for the Russian GP as published at 4.35pm today features Alex Rossi in car number 42.

Marussia has built up its spare chassis and the car is available for the American to make his debut. However, the team will make a final decision on Friday morning on whether or not to actually run the car this weekend.

Rossi, who ran in FP1 in Spa, took part in the team’s track walk earlier today.

Giving Rossi his chance would clearly give the whole team something positive on which to focus at what is obviously a difficult time for all concerned.

Adrian Sutil was a first hand witness to Jules Bianchi’s accident in Suzuka, and while understandably he is not keen to go on record about the impact and its aftermath – his account was the only one we really had until video footage appeared – the German can provide some background to what conditions were like when his own crash occurred.

Sutil says that conditions were good for racing until the rain returned and the light began to fade – a legacy of course of the decision of the promoter to stick with the 3pm start time, rather than create a bigger window of daylight.

“We had a lot of rain, but once we raced it was probably one of the best conditions of the day,” Sutil told this writer. “We had almost no rain, the track was quite OK to drive on intermediates. I think at the time of the race we had almost an hour without rain. The only risk was at the end, the light came down, and then the drizzle started more and more.

“I really struggled to actually keep the car on the circuit, and then in the end it started to rain more and more, it got really dark, so it was hard to see the patches on the track. I was following Jules very closely, then I lost the car in Turn 8 with aquaplaning, I had a big snap, and went into the wall. At that moment I wasn’t in the best position anyway, but luckily nothing happened to me, I was OK, I could step out.

“The one lap after that whole incident happened with Jules, the same kind of mistake as I did, or the same thing happening with the aquaplaning, and he lost the car. I just saw him coming without control of the car.

“It was getting worse on those couple of laps. Of course our tyres were closer to the end, so the resistance to aquaplaning was not so good any more. I saw quite a few cars shaking around even when the safety car came out, when I was standing there after the accident, so there must have been quite a big river developing. That caused the two accidents, really. The rain came up, the tyres were at the end of their wear life, people were struggling, and it was really difficult to drive.”

Sutil is adamant that the fading light – together with the increasing rain – played a key role.

“The problem in our cars is when it gets dark, you can still see, but we have very bright lights on the steering wheel, so they are kind of irritating us. We have a very small view from the helmet, and then where there is this bright light, which is normally set up for the maximum brightness in let’s say sunny conditions, otherwise we can’t really see. But in dark conditions it affects the eyesight a lot. In those last laps with all the spray and the drops on the visor it was really hard to see.

“That’s why sometimes from the outside it looks driveable, and also for the safety car it looks driveable – they have a big windscreen – but no one knows what it’s like for us in the cars, and with these cars which are so difficult to drive right now, without grip, and a massive amount of power.”

Sutil also says that life was much tougher for those at the back of the field – in cars lacking downforce like the Sauber and the Marussia – a fact acknowledged by Nico Rosberg after the race.

The definitive layout for the Baku European Grand Prix was unveiled today by Bernie Ecclestone and Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sport.

The street track has been designed by Hermann Tilke.

“Azerbaijan is the latest addition to the Formula One calendar,” said Ecclestone. “And I am pleased to see they have designed an innovative new street circuit that will definitely help to create a world class event when we race there in 2016.”

“We have created a challenging street circuit, in terms of engineering and design, and one that thrives on Baku’s very attractive urban atmosphere and its great combination of history and 21^st century style,” said Tilke. “The historic city centre, the beautiful seaside promenade and the impressive government house all combine to provide the perfect backdrop for a spectacular new track.

“Obviously street circuits present a number of challenges, in terms of circuit design, but we have been able to incorporate some unique features that will provide the teams and fans with fascinating racing. For example, there will be an extremely narrow uphill section at the old town wall that will reward pinpoint accuracy and courage, and we have an acceleration section of almost 2.2kms along the promenade which will see the cars running flat out at very high top speeds – something that will create an incredible spectacle for the race fans on track and the viewers at home.”

Azad Rahimov said: “Our brief to Tilke Engineering was simple – create a circuit that is unique, one that will help the Grand Prix in Baku quickly establish itself as one of the most exciting, thrilling venues on the F1 calendar, and one that the fans and teams alike are excited about. Most importantly, we wanted a track that would showcase the best of Baku, our capital city, and I am delighted that the circuit the F1 teams will race on in 2016 has achieved exactly that aim.

“Now the next phase of hard work begins and we are all excited about seeing the circuit evolve over the coming months. We know there will be challenges, but with the support of Mr Ecclestone, Tilke Engineering and everyone involved in helping to create F1’s newest Grand Prix, we know we will deliver a spectacular event in 2016 that will add to Azerbaraijan’s well-earned reputation as a modern European country that is the perfect venue for the planet’s highest profile sports and entertainment events.”

Marussia and the Bianchi family have issued the following statement:

“This is a very difficult time for our family, but the messages of support and affection for Jules from all over the world have been a source of great comfort to us. We would like to express our sincere appreciation.

“Jules remains in the Intensive Care Unit of the Mie General Medical Center in Yokkaichi. He has suffered a diffuse axonal injury and is in a critical but stable condition. The medical professionals at the hospital are providing the very best treatment and care and we are grateful for everything they have done for Jules since his accident.

“We are also grateful for the presence of Professor Gerard Saillant, President of the FIA Medical Commission, and Professor Alessandro Frati, Neurosurgeon of the University of Rome La Sapienza, who has travelled to Japan at the request of Scuderia Ferrari. They arrived at the hospital today and met with the medical personnel responsible for Jules’ treatment, in order to be fully informed of his clinical status so that they are able to advise the family. Professors Saillant and Frati acknowledge the excellent care being provided by the Mie General Medical Center and would like to thank their Japanese colleagues.

“The hospital will continue to monitor and treat Jules and further medical updates will be provided when appropriate.”