F1 to reduce pit speed to 60kph in 2012
The latest edition of Italian magazine Autosprint said FIA president Jean Todt made the decision after reviewing the widespread lower speed limits in other major series, including Le Mans, GT1 and Nascar.
It was said the change would have a major impact on race strategy this year.
But in the wake of the Autosprint report, Britain's BBC claims the FIA in fact rejected a push by the teams to lower the speed limit to 60.
Race director Charlie Whiting reportedly "told them he feels there is no need to make the change as there is no evidence that the current arrangement is unsafe", according to the broadcaster.
Instead, the 2012 rules state that the race limit is 100kph at most races, but that the speed "may be amended by the stewards following a recommendation from the FIA F1 safety delegate".
02/29/12 (GMM) Race strategy looks set for a major shakeup in 2012, as it emerges the FIA intends to significantly reduce the pitlane speed limit. The latest edition of Italian magazine Autosprint reports that, ahead of the forthcoming 2012 season, the in-race limit will drop from 100kph to just 60kph throughout the grand prix calendar.
The 2012 rules currently state that the race limit is 100kph, but that the speed "may be amended by the stewards following a recommendation from the FIA F1 safety delegate".
Autosprint said FIA president Jean Todt made the decision after reviewing the pit speed limits of other series, including Le Mans, GT1 and Nascar. The change, causing visits to the pits to take considerably longer than previously, could have a major impact on race strategy this year, the magazine concluded.