Martin Brundle would like to see blue flags removed from Formula 1, although he sees a pitfall in the plan.

A blue flag in Formula 1 is an order for a slower car to pass a faster driver behind, who is coming up to go around that competitor. It’s also a flag that has sparked plenty of memes from four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, with his frustrations trying to overtake backmarkers.

Martin Brundle calls for blue flags to be removed from F1

I think of Suzuka 2016, where, as Brundle himself said, Vettel was “writing an audiobook on blue flag procedures” on the team radio.

And, in Brundle’s opinion, this particular flag should be banned from Formula 1.

“I think we should ban blue flags,” Brundle said when asked during a Sky F1 “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit whether he wanted to ban or introduce rules.

“I think drivers have lost the skills to manage traffic, like we had to do before – I liked that!”

“And now everyone has to move aside like schoolchildren when the big boys come in the fast cars.”

That being said, Brundle knows that not having blue flags in modern F1 could pose a problem for slower car laps.

“But the problem is that with today’s aerodynamics, we may never get past the last markers,” he admitted. “So things have changed a little bit like that, but I think it’s a skill that’s been lost.”

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Otherwise, Brundle believes Formula 1 is in a good position, if the FIA ​​can shorten the Singapore Grand Prix, considered the most physically demanding race on the calendar for drivers.

“I think the rest has been polished pretty well, to be honest,” Brundle said. “As far as the cars are concerned, they are fine, they are examined and they are well monitored for their integrity, their safety and their legality and so on.

“I think the races are a decent length. I would probably shorten the Singapore Grand Prix a bit, like we do in Monaco. Monaco is 260km away. I would probably do 280 km to Singapore. For all other races, most take place on the first full lap after 300 km. So, modify that a bit. But no, I’m calm as we are.

“I have never known Formula 1 as popular as it is today. So if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I would say that.

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