The story of the Austrian Grand Prix was the penalties that were handed out. A total of 12 penalties were given to drivers just in the race. Before the weekend started, the FIA knew that there would be a lot of penalties during the Grand Prix and had given a solution to it.
According to the FIA, there were over 1200 instances where the Formula 1 driver exceeded the track limits throughout the course of the weekend. This is the most the sport has ever seen. The FIA predicted that this would happen prior to the Austrian Grand Prix.
How did Formula 1 drivers cross track limits over 1200 times?
The last 2 corners of the Austrian Grand Prix are medium-speed corners with a downward-sloping altitude change. This makes it very difficult to control the car in those corners. Since the corner is sloped downwards, there will be a lack of downforce causing the car to understeer and exceed the track limit.
This made it very difficult for certain drivers. Sergio Perez found it very hard to keep the cars within the white lines during Qualifying. In Q2, Perez put in a total of 3 flying laps which placed him in the top 5. Unfortunately, all three of these flying laps were deleted due to track limits.
Stewards decision – stand by folks, the race results could be about to change. According to the @FIA over 1200 instances where a car may have exceeded track limits were reported during the race pic.twitter.com/ZmNQsLApKK
— David Croft (@CroftyF1) July 2, 2023
During the race, multiple drivers got penalties for track limits. The first to get the penalty was Lewis Hamilton. After he got the penalty, he was whining on the radio the entire time which got Toto Wolff frustrated. He came on the radio saying “Lewis I know the car is bad, please drive it”. This reaction led fans to think that there was some tension between Hamilton and Toto Wolff. But Toto disregarded those speculations.
During the race, Carlos Sainz also got a penalty for track limits. A number of drivers were complaining about their fellow drivers exceeding track limits.
Why did the FIA give out penalties after the Austrian Grand Prix?
Just as we thought that the Austrian Grand Prix was over, the Aston Martin team protested the result of the Grand Prix. They believed that a lot of drivers exceeded track limits and were not given penalties. The FIA accepted this and decided to review the race and consider all the instances of drivers exceeding track limits.
After reviewing this, the FIA handed out penalties to 8 drivers after the race. Among the list were Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll, and Lando Norris. This reshuffled the finishing order of the drivers. The podium finisher did not receive any penalties.
How the Austrian GP results changed after the time penalties for the track limits breaches ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/MUXUjXlsSM
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 3, 2023
The drivers who were affected most by track limits were Lewis Hamilton, Carlos Sainz, and Esteban Ocon. Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz were running in decent point-scoring positions but were demoted due to the penalties after the race. Esteban Ocon was given a harsh 30-second penalty after the race. However, even before the penalties, he was not running in a point-scoring position, so this did not affect him in terms of points.
FIA suggests a solution to the track limits problem at the Red Bull Ring
Before the race, the FIA suggested a very practical solution for the track limits issue at the Austrian Grand Prix. Before the start of the Grand Prix, F1 extended the contract with the organizers of the Austrian Grand Prix. The extension will see the Austrian Grand Prix on the calendar until the end of the 2030 season. This is great news for Formula 1 fans as the Austrian Grand Prix usually provides us with entertaining races and the orange army.
FIA reviewing 1200 potential track limit breaches before confirming race results. Apparently the FIA have suggested to the track owners before that turn 10 should have a gravel trap. They’ve already signed a 7 year extension so can continue to ignore the advice? #F1 #AustrianGP
— F1 Updates (@F1_updates) July 2, 2023
However, the FIA has acknowledged the problem of the track limits at turn 10 and has given a solution. The FIA proposed that the organizers place gravel next to the chicane as opposed to the concrete that lies there now. This causes drivers to be extra careful while approaching that corner. But the organizers did not do so. Let us hope that they do install the gravel trap for the Austrian Grand Prix next year.