Formula 1 star Jenson Button is the latest to weigh in on V8 Supercars’ controversial new restart rules following the Clipsal 500.
A multi-car accident during Sunday’s 250km Race 3 triggered a landslide of calls for the new system, which sees the field travelling at between 50 and 60km/h prior to a dedicated ‘Acceleration Zone’, to be scrapped.
After watching a replay of the race, Button wrote on Twitter that “racing in V8 Supercars is some of the best but the restart rules need a little bit of work! unnecessary danger & unfair penalties.”
Think the racing in @v8supercars is some of the best but the restart rules need a little bit of work! unnecessary danger & unfair penalties.
— Jenson Button (@JensonButton) March 4, 2014
I think the lead car at a restart in @v8supercars should be able to control the speed from the entry to the last corner… — Jenson Button (@JensonButton) March 4, 2014
You don’t need to anymore action to a category that is packed full of it. — Jenson Button (@JensonButton) March 4, 2014
The 2009 F1 world champion’s comments drew responses from a number of V8 Supercars drivers, while the category’s general manager of motorsport, Damien White, conceded that the system “needs work”.
@JensonButton @v8supercars agree need a tune up – but noting the rules don’t say go through T1 3 wide. Happy to hear recommendations
— Damien White (@_dw_13) March 4, 2014
Button is the only current Formula 1 driver to have sampled a V8 Supercar, completing Vodafone promotions with Triple Eight machinery at Albert Park in 2010 and Bathurst in 2011.
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With close to 1.7 million Twitter followers, Button’s comments on the Adelaide V8 Supercars action is a boost for the category’s overseas exposure ahead of its support role to the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in less than a fortnight.
