Formula 1 drivers will have their lap times deleted during qualifying if they are judged to have violated track limits at turn 11.
Revised instructions issued to drivers ahead of today’s running told them they most not completely cross the kerb at the exit of the left-hand corner with all four wheels.“If a driver crosses the kerb on the exit of turn 11 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,” says the revised event notes.
“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, 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.”
A similar approach was taken at turn 19 during last weekend’s race at Austin. FIA race director said the arrangement came about because drivers wanted a hard-and-fast rule which indicated whether had obeyed track limits or not.
“The first bit of the kerb is 25 millimetres deep, the second bit is 50 millimetres deep. If you’ve got all four wheels on that I think it’s unlikely you’ll go faster.
“But if you put two wheels onto the asphalt there’s an argument that you’ll be getting some grip from the asphalt. Therefore if you’ve only got two wheels on the kerb and two wheels on the asphalt then you could say there’s a likely chance of gaining an advantage. That was the rationale behind it.
“I was perfectly happy to simply say to the drivers that we would only give a penalty or take away lap times if it’s clear you’ve gained an advantage. That’s the sort of general approach I’ve been trying to take this year to keep things running and not have to keep giving penalties for minor indiscretions.
“But they wanted something a little clearer than that, so that’s what I offered, and it worked reasonably well.”
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Prab
27th October 2018, 15:24
It would be loads better to add a circuit map with an arrow pointing that turn.
Track limits should be more rigorous. I am all for it!
ColdFly (@)
27th October 2018, 18:19
here you go (link)
The last (left) turn before approaching the stadium.
Broke84 (@broke84)
27th October 2018, 15:41
Just lay some carpet grip down on it. That’ll keep em off.
Chad (@chaddy)
27th October 2018, 16:52
Yeah, and put a spike strip over the line– I say, leave it up to the driver how wide he goes!
Jere (@jerejj)
27th October 2018, 15:44
So, it’s now been determined by looking at the mini-sector times that briefly leaving the track with all four wheels at the exit of T11 can have a direct impact on the overall lap time and or sector time.
Imre (@f1mre)
27th October 2018, 17:25
It’s the second race in a row where the kerb is deemed as part of the track. Then what is the point of the white lines? Are they there only for aesthetics reasons? Something really should be to put an end to this ridiculous track limit abuse thing in motorsport.
Imre (@f1mre)
27th October 2018, 17:28
really should be done to put an end to
Markp
27th October 2018, 18:28
Why not every single part of the track if it makes time or not, you are off track time deleted. WEC are very strict on this and do it much better. Warnings in the race would be good as well with a drive through for 3 offences.