FIA rejects call for 60km/h pit lane speed limit

Mar.1 (GMM) F1's governing body reportedly rejected a push to lower the in-race pitlane speed limit from 100 to 60km/h for the 2012 season.

The latest edition of Autosprint reported that FIA president Jean Todt made the decision after reviewing the widespread use of 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 that 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 100km/h at most races, but that the speed "may be amended by the stewards following a recommendation from the FIA F1 safety delegate".