FIA promises “zero tolerance” approach to track limits

2014 Austrian Grand Prix

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F1 drivers have been warned the stewards will take a “zero tolerance” approach to anyone running beyond the limits of turn eight during qualifying.

Several drivers have used the low kerb at that part of the track to gain an advantage while on flying laps during practice.

FIA race director Charlie Whiting issued the following statement ahead of today’s qualifying (emphasis as in original document):

Further to the discussion in the drivers meeting yesterday evening I would like to remind all teams and drivers that we will adopt a “zero tolerance” approach to cars leaving the track on the exit of turn 8 during qualifying.

Unless we are satisfied that a driver left the track at this point for reasons beyond his control, e.g. he was forced off the track and lost time, every lap time achieved by leaving the track will be deleted in accordance with Article 12.3.1.d of the Sporting Code.

I would also like to remind you that the white lines defining the track edges are considered part of the track but the kerbs are not.

Drivers have been also warned against cutting the pit lane entry line while coming into the pits.

The stewards investigated five drivers for doing so during practice, but took no action against them after ruling they “intended to remain within the pit entry limit and did not gain any
advantage”.

However on Saturday the stewards noted that “similar action in qualifying and in the race will not be considered as mitigating circumstances”.

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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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15 comments on “FIA promises “zero tolerance” approach to track limits”

  1. Stuart Becktell
    21st June 2014, 12:48

    Why doesn’t the FIA just take control of this and say, once and for all, at any track you go to, if you leave the track its a penalty. This constant issuing of directives for a rule which already exists is getting beyond stupid. If you aren’t going to police it, remove the rule.

    1. It’s also funny because they said they were going to try and issue less penalties for ‘racing incidents’.. line issues fall under that bracket for me IMO. Only when things go over-PC are we issuing penalties for interpretations of crossing a line. Just install hawk-eye if that’s your aim!

  2. As Stuart above mentions, why not be frank about it and have this clear for every racing track on the calendar?

  3. This is the track’s fault… Stop making tracks that you can take advantage of cutting…add a 1 meter stripe with a bit less grip on the outside of the of the track and nobody would cut…

    If the fastest way should never be with cutting.

    1. Being fast in motor racing is all about cutting the corners as much as possible. Running out on the exits is not cutting, but extending the track..

    2. @oliveiraz33 To their credit, turn one has been sorted very well from that point of view compared to F1’s last visit here. Presumably they don’t feel the same solution would work at turn eight.

  4. Having to wait for Stewards to check a video before knowing whether a lap is allowed or not is really irritating, especially when you’re following drivers that the camera isn’t on.
    Why aren’t tracks built so that going ‘off track’ causes an immediate penalty to the speed of the car?

    1. And we might even call that off track area “grass”.

  5. So I guess they let poor little Felipe go off track to get pole. They didn’t want to make the little baby cry on camera.

    1. Where was he off-track? We got shown the onboard..

    2. @henslayer There’s nothing more ironic than a big man like you deploying the horrendously boring and clichéd crybaby insult from the safety of an Internet pseudonym. What are you talking about?

  6. Why don’t they just put old wads of chewing gum along the track, half a meter from its edge? If they just sweep the streets of a couple of cities nearby (especially around schools), they should have tons of it. I think this would work for the best. It would slow down the cars that go too much out without actually endangering them like gravel pits or slippery grass would, and stewards would not spend their time over such trivial matters.
    They could even turn it into a promotion. Make a competition, the ten kids that can chew most gum for them will get to watch the race for free.

  7. “every lap time achieved by leaving the track will be deleted in accordance with Article 12.3.1.d of the Sporting Code.”

    Does this mean if Massa is winning and he cuts T8 on the last lap ,

    Does he have to go round again ?

    We could have drivers doing half a dozen extra laps !

    Chilton could win this !
    /sarcasmic/

    1. pastaman (@)
      21st June 2014, 19:46

      I know you are being sarcastic, but they are talking about qualifying

Comments are closed.