Lane restrictions were a regular topic of conversation at the start of the 2021 season after a number of incidents related to their police force.
Most of the complaints about the track limits came from Red Bull, who saw Max Verstappen lose a race win, a pole position and a fastest lap over breaking the track limits in the first four races.
Before the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen said that F1 should try to use a “hard limit” instead of white lines on racetracks to make it clearer for drivers and fans.
The matter was discussed by team bosses with F1 and FIA officials in Spain, who will now examine the issue through a long-term working group on track restrictions.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc agreed that a curb would be a better way to monitor the forward lane boundaries as it was difficult for drivers to properly assess where the car was when white lines were used.
“Personally, I want the curb to be the boundary of the route because we can actually feel the vibrations of the curb,” said Leclerc.
“With the white line we are so deep in the cars that it is very difficult to tell whether you are two centimeters away from the white line or on the white line.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF21
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
“So I like having the curbs, but I think everything there should be consistent and I think we all agree between the drivers that we just want something is consistent and the same everywhere.
“So whether it’s the white line or the curbs or whatever, I honestly don’t mind.”
One of the big sticking points with installing more curbs and gravel pits on racetracks is making sure they can accommodate a wide variety of categories beyond F1.
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Leclerc’s Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz Jr. understood that gravel or grass as a boundary was not possible on all tracks, but wanted to see more curbs.
“I think it is clear to the FIA and everyone that the direction these modern tracks are taking is probably not the ideal one for track barriers,” said Sainz.
“Ultimately, it makes life very, very difficult for them. So yes, taking into account the safety standards, the best solution for me would be to put gravel or grass after the exit curbs.
“Then we wouldn’t be discussing white lines or curbs. If there is tarmac, I agree with Charles that I prefer the curbs to the white line because we can’t see them.”
Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto urged F1 to come up with a “simpler” solution that fans can understand, believing that decisions that affected the race were “never good for the show”.
“[It’s about] to have something that is simple and has an immediate effect, “said Binotto.
“Whatever it is, you’re taking advantage of it. So keep it simple. For my part, I see other simple solutions that would be best.”
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