Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Circuit de Catalunya, 2018

New rule on corner-cutting at turn one after Verstappen avoids penalty

2018 Spanish Grand Prix

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The FIA has tightened up on drivers cutting the track at the Circuit de Catalunya following yesterday’s incidents at turns one and two.

Previously drivers had been told to re-join the track by passing to the left of a bollard at turn three if they cut turn two by going across the speed bumps. Revised guidance issued to the drivers ahead of today’s race added they must now do the same if they weave between the speed bumps.

Max Verstappen and Marcus Ericsson avoided penalties yesterday after re-joining the track before the bollard because they had weaved between the speed bumps instead of crossing them.

The change came about after Red Bull successfully argued Verstappen’s case yesterday by pointing out he had not crossed the bollards.

“The race director’s notes specify that ‘Any driver who fails to negotiate turn two by using the track, and who passes over one of the speed bumps across the run-off area, must then re-join the track by driving to the left of the bollard before the entry to turn three,” the stewards explained.

“The driver of car 33 left the track at turn two and then did not pass to the left of the bollard. The team noted that the driver weaved between the speed bumps and not over them. As there was no advantage gained in this practice session and the driver rejoined safely, the stewards chose to take no further action.”

The change of rules ahead of today’s race means all drivers will have to negotiate the bollard if they run wide at turn one.

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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13 comments on “New rule on corner-cutting at turn one after Verstappen avoids penalty”

  1. Another Verstappen rule? He may not become a WDC but he may go down in history as having the most rules changed to stop him from gaining advantage unfairly.

    1. @johnrkh

      It was during a practice session and turns out it was within the letter of the law and doing things within the letter of the law is what every F1 team and driver does constantly

      1. every F1 team and driver does constantly

        Why only change the rule after Verstappen cuts the corner?
        I’ll tell you why….because it is not as you said.
        Let me make myself clear. Verstappen is a very quick driver but he needs to respect other drivers and not just think he can do as he wishes to win.

        1. You mean Ericsson?

        2. You obviously have issues with VER. It’s just a normal clarification about a badly formulated rule. And nobody cares baout Ericsson so naming VER will help here.
          My advice to you: accept VER as a driver who will be on top for years to come or you will have a very hard time following F1.

          1. Been following F1 since 1970 :)

        3. @johnrkh

          Exactly, they changed the rule, because what Verstappen did didn’t break a rule

          1. they changed the rule, because what Verstappen did didn’t break a rule

            I think I get what you are trying to say. But the rule is now changed because of Verstappen. Verstappen was technically correct but did not follow the spirit of the rule. Which brings me back to the point of Verstappens lack of respect to his fellow competitors and his team mate.

          2. @johnrkh The rule has not changed…just been clarified, and Ericsson did it too. To say ‘he’ did not follow he spirit of the rule, and to tie this in with a lack of respect for his fellow competitors and his teammate just shows your eagerness to find any excuse to slam MV. Hey, it’s fine if you don’t like the guy of course, but at least find sensible things to argue against him. Here, he sensibly returned to the track safely without gaining an advantage, and it was in practice, and the FIA agreed.

      2. @philipgb

        Ver broke the rule, he just made sure to the rule is explained much clearly to add a virtual box boundary around speed bumps! the rule said if you go over them meant around them as well… But Ver in my opinion cant gain real advantage like this… rules designed for certain reasons… Ver keep at the boundaries will/may earn him a hefty penalty one day if he continues like this… His moves as much as entertaining for us, it causes controversy and usually destroys another racer’s race… hope he learns to hold some of those 900 plus horses he got under him…

  2. Great headline again. Verstappen haters, the floor is yours..

  3. Btw Keith, the sensational headlines do not do your site any good. You only stimulate a certain kind of reactions most real F1 fans will avoid.

  4. Keith
    I am a long time visitor and have to agree with the comment of erikje.
    Rule modified not new. Why use Max, say drivers. i had rather see this site not going into the direction of the clickbates but remain focussed , neutral and informative.

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