David Coulthard is not holding back. The former Formula 1 driver has called on the FIA to improve the speed of its race-neutralisation decisions, pointing to a clear "room for improvement" after the controversial Spanish Grand Prix.
Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Coulthard said: "One thing I would question again is the time it takes between an incident and either a virtual, a safety or a red flag. I think that can be tidied up." His frustration stems from the Madring race, where Lando Norris lost a likely victory. The McLaren driver had already passed the pit entry when the virtual safety car was deployed for Lance Stroll's stopped Aston Martin, allowing Kimi Antonelli to pit cheaply and claim his eighth win of the 2026 season.
Will Buxton, who co-hosted the episode, added: "The thing with safety cars, virtual safety cars, whether you close the pits or you don't... it's luck of the draw. You're either going to land on the side that has worked out brilliantly, or you're going to be on the side of the coin that has completely screwed your day. And there's no real midpoint. It's one or the other."
Buxton questioned whether the inherent unfairness can be legislated away. "How do you legislate to make a moment that is by its very nature inherently unfair? You can't make that fair," he said. But Coulthard believes there is a practical solution: speeding up the process. "Some of them are absolutely clear-cut, like Monza. It took a little while before the red flag when it's absolutely clear we've had a major accident at Parabolica. So that should be as quick as a yellow flag comes out, the red flag should be out. So room for improvement."
The criticism highlights a growing challenge for the FIA in modern F1. With advanced technology and real-time communication, slow decision-making not only disadvantages teams and drivers but also undermines the integrity of the sport. Drivers like Norris and teams like McLaren have felt the impact firsthand.
Moving forward, the FIA is expected to review its race-neutralisation procedures. A small improvement in reaction time could have a significant impact on outcomes and fairness. Coulthard and Buxton have voiced concerns that many in the paddock likely share. Will the FIA listen? Only time will tell.
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