Mercedes have admitted the potential of a crimson flag wasn’t a part of their considering after they determined to pit George Russell from the lead on the F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Russell and Lando Norris determined to cease for brand new intermediates simply because the Digital Security Automobile interval for Nico Hulkenberg’s stricken Haas was ending.
This dropped them behind Esteban Ocon, Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly.
With the rain coming down closely, the Security Automobile was deployed earlier than that was modified to a crimson flag when Franco Colapinto crashed.
The crimson flag permits drivers to vary their tyres with out making a pit cease, giving the aforementioned trio observe place over Russell and Norris.
Russell had needed to remain out – however was overruled by Mercedes.
Explaining that technique name, trackside engineering chief Andrew Shovlin stated: “I believe with hindsight, you’d handle most races in a different way.
“However definitely, on this case, we’d have finished. One of many key issues is as soon as they introduced that the VSC was ending, we had a really, very quick window, solely a second or two, the place we might have gotten George to remain out on observe.
“The explanation you’d have finished that’s by that time, you’ll endure a full pit loss anyway.
“Chances are you’ll as nicely keep out and simply gamble on the truth that it was fairly seemingly somebody would have a crash, as occurred, and that they’re pressured to crimson flag it.”
Shovlin believes pitting Russell made sense as a result of Norris, who was simply behind him within the battle for the lead, was additionally coming in.
“Previous to that, stopping to us made sense, as a result of provided that Lando was coming in, George was ready to do this,” he added.
“He would have nonetheless been forward of all these automobiles that stayed out. However you get the advantage of recent rubber in case they don’t name it as a crimson flag.
“Usually, we strive to not assume that there’s going to be a crimson flag, as a result of typically you get it proper, typically you get it mistaken.
“If there’s a security automotive and also you resolve to remain out, assuming a crimson flag, if you don’t get it, you might be in bother.
“However clearly, the automobiles that did keep out, that gamble labored for them, and so they ended up in prime place.”