In a recent press conference, Formula 1 drivers expressed their dissatisfaction with the FIA’s decision to increase the penalty for track limits violations. Previously, drivers received a five-second penalty after five violations, but now this has been doubled to 10 seconds. The drivers’ fraternity believes that this severe penalty is unfair, especially considering the difficulties they face in judging track limits due to the design of the current generation of F1 cars. Charles Leclerc stated that the white lines marking the track limits are not easily visible, making it challenging to avoid crossing them. George Russell echoed this sentiment, explaining that the low position of the seat in the car hinders visibility. Both drivers emphasized the need for better solutions for track limits, including more visible curbs and addressing the issue only at specific circuits where it is prevalent.
Stroll, from Aston Martin, who found that exceeding track limits in Jeddah results in collision with barriers, ironically suggested that in many circuits, the presence of asphalt runoff areas eliminates the risk of exceeding track limits, making it necessary to use time penalties.
“I believe that if we change the actual layout of many tracks and make it a bit easier to stay within the track limits, while implementing stricter penalties for going off track, such as gravel or grass, we would encounter fewer of these issues in the first place,” expressed the Canadian driver.
However, despite the drivers expressing dissatisfaction with the 10-second penalties for exceeding track limits before Saturday’s Grand Prix, no definitive examples were provided after the race.
However, FIA stewards have imposed stricter time penalties for various violations, which Haas, Kevin Magnussen, and the following cars discovered.
Magnussen received two separate 10-second time penalties, the first for causing damage to Alex Albon’s front wing after not leaving enough space for the Williams driver on the outside of Turn 4, and the second for overtaking Yuki Tsunoda and gaining an unfair advantage by going off track.
However, by deliberately slowing down the cars behind him to allow teammate Nico Hulkenberg to build a big enough gap to pit and retain track position, Magnussen easily ensured his teammate a tenth-place finish.
This tactical move by Haas left their rivals RB and Williams frustrated, as it cost them the opportunity to score points, illustrating that severe time penalties may not be the ultimate solution if it opens the door for teams to employ strategies that ruin others’ aspirations.
