Formula 1 is a sport with very strict regulations which cannot be ignored. We see car regulation changes coming in every year that affects the performances of certain teams. Recently, the budget cap was introduced to prevent bigger teams from overspending. But one of the oldest and most basic rules of Formula 1 is track limits.
Ever since the inception of the Formula 1 Championship, the rule of track limits has always been there. We have seen drivers get penalties and sometimes even disqualified due to track limits. One of the most famous moments involving track limits was when Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna collided during the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix.
During the penultimate Japanese Grand Prix in 1989, Senna and Prost were involved in a close battle for the Championship. As Senna was going for a overtake down the inside, Prost closed the door and collided with Senna. However, Senna was able to restart the car and rejoin the race. However, he cut a corner while rejoining. This saw him get disqualified from the race.
Nowadays, drivers don’t get such strict penalties for cutting corners. But let us know first see what track limits are and why is it such an important rule in Formula 1.
What are track limits?
Every Formula 1 track has a white line running along the sides of the tarmac. These white lines indicate the track limits of the circuit. The drivers always try to drive to the limit in terms of speed and the racing line. The racing line of a track is largely determined based on the circuit’s layout.
Following this racing line is not always easy for the drivers to do. When following a racing line a driver tends to lock up or lose control of the rear a bit. This usually leads to the car going past the white lines. This is technically crossing track limits. In order to remain within the track limits, the driver will have to have at least 1 tire on the track side of the white lines.
In some instances, the circuit will have runoff areas. These runoff areas will guide the driver on how they can rejoin the track after exceeding the white lines. For example, at the Italian Grand Prix, if the driver locks up and is unable to make the 1st corner, there is a runoff area with directions on how to rejoin the track. The example is shown in the image above.
Before the start of the Grand Prix, the safety car goes out and gives an example and showcases the track limits for every track. This gives the drivers an idea of the racing line.
Track limits are there mainly to make sure that a driver does not have any advantage and is completing the distance of the track every lap.
What are the penalties for exceeding track limits in Formula 1?
Any driver who exceeds track limits and gains an advantage will be penalized. Previously, the sport had stricter regulations when it came to track limits. However, nowadays, the penalties are a bit more lenient. the penalty given would be based on the instances leading to the car exceeding the limit.
For example, if a car is forced to beyond the track limit due to being forced by another car, there will be no penalty given. Even if a driver locks up and goes off the track and loses time in an attempt to rejoin the track, a penalty is not given. But if a driver crosses the limits and gains an advantage, the driver will be penalized or warned.
During the qualifying sessions, if a driver crosses the track limit at any given point, that lap will be invalidated. If the driver crosses the track limit on the last sector of the track, that lap and the next lap as well will be deleted. However, no penalties will be given for the race due to exceeding track limits at qualifying.
During the race, a driver will be given a warning for the first 3 times he/she exceeds track limits and gains an advantage. The 4th time, the driver will be shown a black and white flag. This means that the next time the driver exceeds the track limit, a 5-second penalty will be given. These penalties are fair considering the amount of warnings given before the penalty.