White line - don't do it, says FIA.

FIA race director Charlie Whiting has reminded drivers at the Belgian Grand Prix that the now infamous 'white line rule' will be in force during the race at Spa-Francorchamps.

Not deemed a necessity at the last event in Hungary, where the line into the opening corner would not be hindered by cars leaving the pit-lane, the rule has been implemented for Spa. At the French Grand Prix in July, no fewer than four drivers received drive-through penalties for crossing the line separating pit-lane and race track, including both Schumacher brothers and David Coulthard. Ralf Schumacher also transgressed at the Nurburgring in 2001.

An official statement issued by the governing body prior to the Belgian race reads as follows:

"As usual during the team manager's meeting on Thursday, the FIA race director outlined the procedure which drivers must follow when leaving the pits. At the Belgian Grand Prix, drivers must stay to the right of the white line in the centre of the track which stops at the second Safety Car line [in this case approximately 100 metres after the first corner].

"The white line is intended to ensure that cars leaving the pits are not driven directly on to the racing line whilst travelling at a speed significantly slower than other cars already on the track.

"At some circuits, such as those in Imola and Budapest, no line was deemed necessary as drivers leaving the pits have no incentive to drive directly on to the racing line as it is likely to be slower to do so. As usual, teams were briefed accordingly by the race director.

"Crossing the white line at the pit exit contravenes Article 4(e) in Chapter 4 of Appendix L to the International Sporting Code, and any driver doing so is normally reported to the Stewards of the Meeting."