The recurring dilemma of ‘track limits’ is casting a shadow over Formula 1’s racing spectacle once more.
Team leaders were hopeful that the familiar challenge of extended lap annulments for track limits breaches, evident in Austria earlier in the season, would find a remedy with the introduction of new kerbs in Qatar.
However, many drivers had their swiftest laps negated during Friday’s qualifiers, with both McLarens losing their lead positions. Oscar Piastri was put in an awkward spot when he learnt of his shift from P3 to P6 during the official post-session dialogue.
“Our sport is simply not doing this well,” declared Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur.
“It’s not a great look but now I’m worried about the race. There are gusts of wind that make it difficult for the drivers to manage those critical 5 centimetres. But the really important thing is to have the information in real time. I know it’s complex for the race directors but I hope it’s not like Austria,” he voiced.
Echoing the sentiment, Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko noted: “There has to be a better solution.
“We have to do something about these track limits,” he shared with Sky Deutschland. “The result changes every few minutes. There must finally be a solution.”
Given the Austrian incident transpired on Red Bull’s own track, Marko stated his suggestion – rubber bumps on the track fringes instead of white lines – “was rejected”.
“Now let’s think about concrete slabs with gravel,” he continued. “But what do we do about it now? If it’s like this tomorrow then we’ll only have the result on Monday morning.”
