The FIA has decided to install an additional set of start lights in Bahrain, following drivers' complains of visibility issues in Melbourne.
With the revised aerodynamics regulations in 2019, the lower wing's height was increased by 20mm. Due to the taller wings, drivers at the back of the grid found it hard to observe the start lights at the race start in Melbourne. One such driver was George Russell, whose vision was hindered by rear wing of the MCL34 of Carlos Sainz.
Russell explained that: "I was looking all around and I ended up seeing the lights through the reflection of the Paddock Club [F1 hospitality] windows,"
"I was sat looking, with my head at a 45-degree angle and my start was terrible because I was looking around for a couple of seconds, where to go, then realised it was the fifth light and realised my hand was in the wrong position."
The FIA took notice of the complaints received by the drivers, and hence decided to add another set of start lights in Bahrain, so that all 20 drivers could view the lights easily and prepare for the race start without any difficulties.
However, out of the 5 lights in total, only the 4th and 5th light is being added for Bahrain. In case this solution proves to be effective, there is a possibility that the FIA might install a repeating set of all 5 lights for the following Grands Prix.
Repeating start lights are not uncommon to Formula 1, as the same solution was implemented in 2009 as well; when the new regulations demanded taller wings, which in turn obstructed drivers' view of the start lights.
But these additional start lights were removed in 2017, when the regulations were changed again, and the wings were lowered significantly enough, that the start lights were visible to the entire grid.
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