Formula 1 stewards have called on the sport to address problems with track limits. These track boundaries are a major obstacle in many rounds. That’s why stewards are now calling for significant changes to prevent this in the future.
Lane limitations have been a big problem this year. During qualifying in Saudi Arabia, Logan Sargent was unable to set the fastest time due to track limitations. In Austria, stewards still had to investigate 1,200 potential violations after the race. In Qatar, Oscar Piastre was told during his first three interviews that his lap was canceled due to track limitations. That weekend, there were a total of 127 disqualifications due to drivers exceeding track limits. And in Austin, stewards admitted they don’t have enough visibility of Turn Six, with more drivers likely to exceed the limit there.
The latter issue is reason enough to oppose the Haas decision. As team boss Gunther Steiner said: “We don’t want to impose any penalty on the track limits. But if we have that rule, we have to follow it. We are more concerned with the principle than the penalty.
No workable situation
That particular protest was dismissed yesterday for lack of new evidence. Nevertheless, the stewards indicate that the current situation is unworkable and something radical needs to be changed. “It is highly unsatisfactory that the stewards could not properly enforce the limit rules as they have seen evidence of the possibility of exceeding the lane limits,” the stewards’ assessment said. “So they are calling on everyone involved to find a solution as soon as possible so that this problem can be prevented in the future.”
Maids don’t really know what that solution should look like. “Whether the problem can be solved through technology, circuit fixes or other regulations is left to those in charge. But given the problems at various circuits this season, better solutions must be found before the start of the 2024 season.
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