Formula 1 Azerbaijan GP
FIA clarifies pit entry line limits for F1 Azerbaijan GP
Formula 1 race director Niels Wittich has clarified with drivers which lines they must not cross on the high-speed entry to the Baku pitlane.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Jun 11, 2022, 10:03 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The layout of the run from the final corner and across the finish line in Azerbaijan means that, at times, drivers can ride close to, and even over, the pit entry on fast laps.
If drivers ahead of them suddenly slow while coming in to the pits, then that could potentially cause trouble.
The matter has been further put into the spotlight following the FIA’s latest clarification that drivers are now allowed to cross pit entry and exit lines as long as a whole tyre does not go beyond it.
Following the first day of running in Baku, Wittich amended his event notes to explain what is expected of drivers if they are continuing on track.
He said that "for safety reasons", the pit entry line is now defined as the entire line that starts well before the pits and continues into the pitlane.
This means that drivers wanting to come into the pits must be inside it at all times and cannot cut across once the line has started.
Furthermore, to stop drivers drifting too far to the left if they are on a hot lap, it has been explained that they are not allowed to cross a dashed line (highlighted with yellow arrow below) on the track if they are not coming into the pits.
Pit lane entry
Photo by: FIA
The notes say: “The dashed white line at the pit entry defines the track edge. For safety reasons, any driver continuing on the track, may not cross that line in any direction.”
As well as the clarification about behaviour at the pit entry, the FIA has installed a bollard on the left hand side of the pit exit.
Wittich said: “All drivers must stay to the right of this bollard when leaving the pitlane.”
Pit lane exit
Photo by: FIA
The bollard (highlighted with yellow arrow above) provides a hard limit for drivers in terms of how much they can cut the apex of the exit, with the new FIA interpretation since Monaco meaning they could push the limits much more than before.
Furthermore, the FIA has also removed a kerb on the right-hand side of the track on the entry to the Turn 15 left-hander.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mercedes needs "fundamental improvements" after torrid Baku F1 Friday
Next article Leclerc: Still "question marks" over Ferrari and Red Bull form in Baku
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
IndyCar veteran Sting Ray Robb secures United Autosports Asian Le Mans seat
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 1 h
IndyCar veteran Sting Ray Robb secures United Autosports Asian Le Mans seat
Five things to look out for at the F1 Mexico GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
3 h
Five things to look out for at the F1 Mexico GP
Every time NASCAR took a win away due yellow line violations
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
4 h
Every time NASCAR took a win away due yellow line violations
Max Verstappen sits out for Red Bull in Mexico GP FP1
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
4 h
Max Verstappen sits out for Red Bull in Mexico GP FP1
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe