The debate with run-off areas and track limits.
- Richard Baxter
- Nov 27, 2018
- 2 min read
Within the world of Formula 1 there has for a long time been a debate amongst fans in regard to the issue of track limits created by the amount of space the drivers have in the way of run-off areas.
For years there were and still are gravel traps, but now these have gradually been phased out at a lot of circuits and replaced with tarmac run off areas. The reasons for this we’re told, primarily safety, cars don’t get beached and can easily rejoin the track. But this has caused other problems with drivers trying and sometimes managing to gain an advantage by running slightly wider out of some corners due to taking them at a higher speed and gaining time.
A lot of fans however are fed up of drivers being able to take advantage like this and have called for a return of the gravel traps, and barriers positioned closer to the track removing the opportunity of breaching track limits to gain an advantage. The current solution from the FIA, of placing larger kerbs is quite flawed, especially with the danger of the kerbs launching cars in the air. And as we saw at this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a lot of drivers, if possible will cut the corner entirely to avoid these kerbs.
Recently the world witnessed a horrendous crash in Formula 3 for the young driver Sophia Floersch at the Macau GP. A circuit which is very tight at certain points. Floersch’s car flew through the air at an estimated speed of just over 170mph, went above the tyre barriers, broke through the catch fencing at the edge of the circuit and went in to what appeared to be a structure similar to scaffolding. She miraculously survived the crash suffering fractured vertebrae, and fortunately there were no major injuries to marshalls or photographers who were also in the area.
After seeing this latest crash, and others in recent years, I now totally understand why the FIA are introducing as much run off as possible. There is no doubt going in to these run off areas are safer than crashing in to Armco barriers and potentially buildings.
Whilst it is not right for drivers to be gaining an advantage safety always has to be the priority. With the FIA disallowing lap times and applying time penalties when they see drivers gain an advantage this seems the best way to go, especially if they can become more vigilant and punish where necessary anyone breaching track limits. If they introduce and clarify new rules around track limits, this could and should be resolved very soon.
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