Formula 1 drivers face having their lap times deleted if they run wide at turn 19 during the upcoming qualifying session for the United States Grand Prix.
Revised rules for this weekend’s race state drivers lap times will not be counted if they leave the track at the penultimate corner.“If a driver crosses the kerb on the exit of turn 19 during qualifying and, as a result, no part of the car remains in contact with the red and white section of the kerb, the lap time of the driver concerned will be deleted by the stewards,” the clarification states.
The corner will also be policed more strictly during the race. “A black and white flag will be shown to any driver who clears the red and white section of the kerb three times,” the drivers have been told.
“Any further occurrence will then be reported to the stewards. Each time any car clears the red and white section teams will be informed via the official messaging system.”
The stewards also confirmed Brendon Hartley will join his team mate Pierre Gasly at the back of the grid for the race. Both Toro Rosso drivers now have new power units for the weekend and have exceeded their minimum allocation.
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Phylyp (@phylyp)
20th October 2018, 20:30
Three warnings before it is reported to the stewards, in the race? That seems too generous, I’d say one warning should suffice (or none at all).
Jere (@jerejj)
20th October 2018, 20:33
@phylyp Yes, that’s the standard approach for these type of situations.
erikje
20th October 2018, 21:16
During the race: three faults result in a black and white flag.
and:
that’s what i read in it..
Dewald Nel (@ho3n3r)
20th October 2018, 22:35
No, 3 times = black & white flag.
Jere (@jerejj)
20th October 2018, 20:32
Twelve months ago it was determined that leaving the track briefly at T19 with all four wheels isn’t advantageous by looking at how much time it takes to drive from the light panel preceding T19 to the light panel following the corner in question/preceding T20, so what’s suddenly changed now? If it wasn’t advantageous a year ago then how is it different this time around?
Phylyp (@phylyp)
20th October 2018, 20:46
Interesting question, @jerejj , I didn’t realize that.
Andy Bunting (@wildbiker)
20th October 2018, 21:42
Well done the race stewards.
The corner was being abused during all of the 3 practice sessions.
The observation that they weren’t gaining a time advantage is a red herring.
There is an advantage by not lifting, allowing a higher entry speed into T20.
Rule clarification states that if all 4 wheels leave the track limits anywhere, that lap time becomes invalid.
john
21st October 2018, 7:58
Build track properly!! If you need stewards policing corners then thr track design is not fit for purpose!!