BTCC introduces redress racing directive

The British Touring Car Championship has introduced a new driving standards directive, which comes into effect as of this weekend, allowing drivers who’ve gained an unfair advantage to give back the spot without penalty.

The new rule means that any driver who has overtaken another driver unfairly can hand back the position without facing further action from the stewards post-race.

The position has to be redressed within one lap, else the subsequent penalty, which will in most cases include an endorsement on the driver’s racing licence, will apply.

The regulation is similar to one which was introduced in the Australian Supercars Championship last year, which was mostly successful, bar a noteworthy incident at the 2016 Bathurst 1000km, when Triple Eight’s Jamie Whincup attempted to redress an unfair manoeuvre on GRM’s Scott McLaughlin, but as a result a larger incident occurred, taking HRT’s Garth Tander out of the race.

The rule has been implemented due to a number of unfair passes deemed to have taken place at the most recent round of the BTCC at Brands Hatch two weeks ago.