FIA revealed more than 1200 instances of a driver potentially exceeding track limits at last year’s Austrian Grand Prix. On Friday alone, 47 lap times were deleted, contributing to a total of 83 deletions, resulting in penalties for eight drivers.
The inconsistency in enforcing track limit penalties led to an uproar. Aston Martin protested five hours after the race, claiming multiple drivers weren’t penalized for exceeding track limits.
Resulting in the Stewards urging a “solution to be found to the track limits situation at this circuit.” for the 2024 season. Hence, Red Bull Ring organizers have installed gravel traps to reduce these penalties days before the race.
Introduction of the Gravel Traps at the Austrian Grand Prix by the FIA and the Organisers
The track’s design, with long straights and corners, made it easy for drivers to exceed limits. This led to over 1,000 infractions, prompting the FIA to introduce changes for the 2024 season.
🚨 New gravel traps added to the last few corners in Austria, in hopes to avoid the whole track limits fiasco from last year.
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) June 25, 2024
📸: @ParcFer_me pic.twitter.com/XVLCwibKrj
Days before the race, Red Bull Ring organizers installed 2.5-meter-wide gravel traps at Turns 9 and 10. Moreover, the racetrack general manager, Erich Wolf, stated, “Anyone who drives onto it or even touches it will be at a disadvantage.”
These traps aim to deter drivers from exceeding track limits, reducing confusion and increasing safety. However, the traps are designed to be removable to accommodate the different safety guidelines required for MotoGP races in August.
The ruthless penalties at the 2023 Austrian GP
Aston Martin raised concerns over inconsistent rule enforcement by the FIA. The major blow landed on Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, who faced a 30-second time penalty, pushing him down to 14th place. His penalty included two 5-second and two 10-second penalties for exceeding track limits 10 times during the race.
Drivers exceed track limits when all four tyres cross the white line surrounding the racing surface. According to Article 33.3 of the Sporting Regulations,
“Drivers must make every reasonable effort to use the track at all times and may not leave the track without a justifiable reason.”
This rule has been highly debated due to its inconsistent enforcement during different sessions. In qualifying, infractions result in immediate lap time deletion. During the race, drivers receive two warnings for exceeding limits. A black and white flag is shown on the third violation, with further infractions leading to a penalty from the stewards.
🚨 New gravel traps added to the last few corners in Austria, in hopes to avoid the whole track limits fiasco from last year.
— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) June 25, 2024
📸: @ParcFer_me pic.twitter.com/XVLCwibKrj
Last year 8 drivers received penalties for impeding the track limits: Carlos Sainz (1), Lewis Hamilton (1), Pierre Gasly (1), Alexander Albon (1), Esteban Ocon (4), Logan Sargeant (1), Nyck de Vries (2), and Yuki Tsunoda (1).
Carlos Sainz commented on the issue, saying:
“You’re no longer fully in control (of) how the car reacts to the dirty air of the car in front.”
Here’s the reason according to the Stewards: For four infringements, a 5-second time penalty; for five infringements, a 10-second time penalty. Then a “reset” has been allowed due to the excessive number of infringements. The counting of infringements restarts. After another four infringements, a 5-second time penalty will apply; after five, a 10-second time penalty.
Given last year’s multiple violations, the FIA aims to reduce confusion and inconsistencies by introducing gravel traps at the exits of Turns 9 and 10, ensuring a fairer race for drivers this Sunday.
Rohit Kumar