FORMULA ONE - F1: Ferrari to Bring Back Pit 'Traffic Lights'

Formula 1

F1: Ferrari to Bring Back Pit ‘Traffic Lights’

Ferrari plans to bring back its controversial 'traffic lights' pit stop system for the 2009 season.

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted January 06, 2009 Charlotte, NC

Now that control of the lights has been taken over by software, Ferrari is confident they'll avoid pit launch mishaps in 2009. (LAT Photographic)

Ferrari plans to bring back its controversial 'traffic lights' pit stop system for the 2009 season.

After several incidents last year, the Italian team abandoned the unique automated system following the Singapore grand prix, where Felipe Massa dragged the fuel hose down the pitlane. But team manager Luca Baldisserri told the Italian newspaper La Stampa: "We have analysed the errors of 2008 and improved the system.

"Now an electronic program will prevent the car from leaving the box when the fuel hose is attached," he said. The automated system, using sensors and buttons to show colored lights to the drivers during pitstops, replaces the traditional 'lollipop' approach.

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SPEED Staff / GMM

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