It's understood that the FIA is to make a further tweak to the starting procedure in time for the season opener in Melbourne.

After concern was raised over the 'existing' procedure during the first week in Bahrain, a revised version was tried during most of the sessions in the second week.

Amidst fears that the amount of time different drivers were taking to get their turbos fully charged during the standard start procedure, which, it was feared, would lead to those slow off the mark being susceptible to being hit from those behind who were better out of the starting block, an additional 5s was added to the entire procedure.

Once this was in place, the issue appeared to have been resolved, the slow off the mark stragglers witnessed during the first week were now getting away at the same time as the rest, though some were clearly doing a better job, the Ferrari and Haas drivers in particular.

However, as the rules currently stand, drivers are allowed to use their active aero from the outset, and with the majority of starting grids being located in mode activation zones, drivers would be allowed to keep their wings at their lowest angle, thereby minimising drag in the rush to the first corner.

However, the lack of down force, combined with the sheer grunt of the 2026 power units, has once again led to concern over safety.

"A pack of 22 cars with a couple of hundred points less downforce sounds like a recipe for disaster to me," admitted Oscar Piastri.

"I think the two starts I've made this week were worse than my worst ever start in F1," said George Russell. "While Lewis, down in P11, got into P1.

"At this stage, I don't think it matters how quick you are," he added. "The thing that's going to trip you up is going to be that tallest hurdle, and that's what we're trying to get our heads around right now. And yeah, we're stumbling at the moment."

Consequently, the FIA has agreed a tweak to the procedure that will either be in force in time for Melbourne, or will be issued as a direct order from the Race Director.

"There was a common agreement, in terms of usage of the straight mode from the grid to the first corner, not to use it," said Andrea Stella. "While this has to be ratified in a way, by the FIA, I understand that there's a general agreement across the pack.

"I think the activity that is happening on the starts is very positive," said the Italian. "It is creating a situation where everyone is given the opportunity to prepare their power unit, even if, in fairness, we still see that there's quite a lot of disparity in the start performance.

"So, in a way, the concern, based on what we see in testing, has not necessarily been overcome."