Overtaking in Formula 1 is far from child’s play, with strict rules in place on how drivers can attack, overtake and defend, depending on the type of corner.

Recent events in the 2024 F1 season have shed light on the rules that drivers must obey when racing against their rivals, with the FIA ​​setting out driving guidelines and what is acceptable in battle.

F1 introduces driving guidelines in 2022

Given the very strict nature of most Formula 1 regulations, it is somewhat surprising that the rules regarding overtaking have never been particularly clear in the past.

Even though there was a general idea of ​​the “right way” to overtake, there was little clarity on what was “the wrong way”, which led to more controversial movements and incidents in recent years in as the popularity of the sport increased.

As part of the major overhaul of F1’s governance and to ensure that as many scenarios in the sport are legislated and drafted to cover as many areas as possible, the FIA ​​has introduced the Conduct Standards Guidelines in 2022 – the rules that pilots must follow on the track and in combat.

These were originally released at the start of the 2022 season and outline what is and is not allowed in wheel-to-wheel battles. It was published “in response to a request from F1 drivers to confirm the factors that may be taken into account by FIA stewards when decisions are made regarding certain repeated infractions occurring during a season.”

These guidelines have been updated for the 2024 F1 season and, below, we have detailed the rules currently in force for drivers overtaking in Formula 1. These rules are subject to change over the coming months, continued at recent meetings of the Grand Prix Drivers Committee. Association with the FIA ​​after controversial defending incidents by reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

The latest driving guidelines, in whatever form agreed, are expected to become part of the International Sporting Code in F1 2025 and will be accessible to read via the rule books published by the FIA.

It is important to note that the Guidelines are just that: they are intended to clearly explain to drivers how stewards judge on-track incidents, but they are discretionary in nature in that the FIA ​​Sporting Regulations, the Code Sportif International and its relevant Appendices replace them.

For example, the physical context of an incident must be considered, e.g. whether drivers can be considered to have reasonably seen or anticipated a movement, dive bomb incidents, whether the physical configuration of the turn contributed to a incident, whether understeer or oversteer played a role in the outcome, etc.

As such, the decisions of the commissioners must be made in accordance with the relevant regulations, with the guidelines assisting in this process.

Overtaking on the inside of a bend

In simple terms, this means that the attacking driver has managed to get his car into a position where he is on the side of the track where the defending driver needs to turn, i.e. to the right in a right turn, or to the left in a left turn.

Overtaking on the inside of a corner is, by far, the most common means of overtaking, given the lack of defense the overtaker has once an attacking car has taken that position. But at what point does “attack” become “overtaking”?

In order to be allowed space from the defender’s car, the attacker must have his front axle at least next to the defender’s rearview mirror at the apex of the turn. It must be driven safely through the entry, apex and exit without forcing the defending car off the track on the exit. The attacker is supposed to go through the turn within the confines of the track and must give the defender width throughout the exit of the turn.

Overtaking on the outside of a turn

This is a less common type of overtaking, as a driver usually needs a significant advantage in pace or grip for it to work, as well as some cooperation from of the overtaken pilot.

This is because the overtaking driver has to go “a long way around”, taking a less than optimal line, while the defending driver’s trade-off is that their top speed/exit speed is compromised.

In order for the attacking driver to be allowed space to pass the corner, including the exit, while attempting to go around the outside, the attacker must have his front axle at least next to the front axle of the car in defense at the top of the turn. .

If the defending car is far enough ahead at the apex, that is. half a car length, the attacking driver is not allowed space for the remainder of the turn, including the exit.

The attacker must be able to complete the turn, including the exit, within the limits of the track.

Learn more about the FIA ​​and F1 governance

Explained: F1 track limits rules and how the FIA ​​enforces them

F1 penalty system explained: How can a driver get a penalty from the FIA?

FIA provides more clarity on tactics in overtaking battles

The same rules will apply across all corner types, such as chicanes and esses, meaning drivers will be able to move from an outside to an inside position very quickly – the rules for each type will change for each corner negotiated by the pilots.

However, the priority is on the first element of the turn: the attacking driver must follow the rules of the first turn, otherwise he will not benefit from them in the second.

If either driver deviates significantly from the run-off zone, maintaining racing speed is not acceptable and, when restarting, it must not force the cars on track to change speed or line in order to accommodate them.

If a driver leaves the track, he must rejoin safely and must not gain any lasting advantage. If an advantage is gained by going off track, the driver who gained the advantage will have a short opportunity to restore that advantage – this is at the discretion of the Race Director.

For cars defending against an attacker, leaving the track or cutting through a chicane while rejoining the same position may be considered to have gained a lasting advantage. Therefore, this position must be given to the attacker – it will be up to the stewards to decide whether or not the defending driver was defending his position at that time, triggering this rule, or whether he simply made a mistake of his own. -even when driving in front. from another car.

Defending drivers are also not allowed to change direction more than once in a straight line. If a driver moves to defend his position when leaving the racing line, the return to the racing line should leave at least one car’s width between the edge of his car and the edge of the track as he approaches the turn.

Once the deceleration phase begins, that is. when the defending driver brakes, there must be no change of direction except to follow the racing line.

Thereafter, it is prohibited to pile up a car beyond the edge of the track.

Read next: Explained: What is ‘parc ferme’ and how does the FIA ​​enforce it?