Co-author: Jonathan Noble
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Ferrari has asked Formula 1 officials to use “simpler” solutions for track barriers on racetracks, as white lines are not the answer to the current problem.
Track limits were a regular topic at the start of the 2021 season after a number of incidents involving police work.
Most of the complaints about track restrictions came from Red Bull, who lost Max Verstappen in the first four races to a race win, a pole position and an infringement of the fastest laps over track restrictions.
Verstappen said ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix that F1 should try to use a “hard limit” instead of white lines on racetracks, which makes it clearer for drivers and fans.
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The matter was discussed by team bosses with representatives of F1 and the FIA in Spain, who are now supposed to examine the issue through a long-term working group for route restrictions.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc agreed that a curb was a better way to monitor lane boundaries as it made it difficult for drivers to correctly judge where the car was when using white lines.
“Personally, I want the curb to be the limit of the route because we can actually feel the vibrations of the curb,” said Leclerc.
“With the white line we are so low in the cars that it is very difficult to tell if you are two inches from the white line or from the white line.
“So I like having the curbs, but I just think that everything there should be consistent and I think that we all agree between the drivers that we just want something is consistent and the same for everyone.
“So whether it’s the white line or the curbs or whatever, I don’t mind being honest.”
One of the big sticking points to installing more curbs and gravel traps on racetracks is making sure they can accommodate a wide variety of categories beyond F1.
Leclerc’s Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz understood that it was not possible to use gravel or grass as the boundary on all tracks, but that more curbs should be used.
“I think the FIA and everyone is realizing that the direction these modern tracks are following is probably not the ideal one for track restrictions,” said Sainz.
“In the end, it makes life very, very difficult for them. So if I respect the safety standards, the best solution for me would be to put gravel or grass after the curbs.
“Then we would have no discussion about white lines or curbs. If there is tarmac, I agree with Charles that I prefer the curbs to the white line because we cannot see.”
Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto urged F1 to find a “simpler” solution for the fans, as they felt that decisions that affect the race are “never good for the show”.
“”[It’s about] to have something that is simple and has immediate effect, “said Binotto.
“Whatever it is, you’re taking advantage of it. Keep it simple. For my part, I see other simple solutions that would be best.”
The post Ferrari wants a simpler solution to the problem of track restrictions in F1 first appeared on monter-une-startup.
