Breaking news
Formula 1 Tuscany GP
Mugello gravel trap approach won’t work everywhere - FIA
FIA Formula 1 race director Michael Masi says that the gravel trap solution to track limits seen at Mugello cannot be applied at all circuits, despite finding favour with drivers.
Adam Cooper
Edited: Sep 16, 2020, 7:32 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Unlike many modern venues, Mugello has gravel traps lining much of the circuit, to the extent that in his race directors’ notes issued to teams, Masi formally noted that “track limits at the exit of Turns 3, 5, 9, 11 and 15 will not be monitored as the defining limit at each of these locations is the gravel trap.”
The subject of run-off areas and track limits has become a regular hot topic in F1 drivers’ briefings this year.
At the Belgian GP, Carlos Sainz suggested that the balance of risk and reward was wrong after artificial grass was removed from the edge of the track to help Spa earn an FIM licence.
As a result there was even less of a penalty than previously for any F1 drivers who ran wide.
Sainz was one of many F1 drivers who preferred the gravel arrangement at Mugello over asphalt run-off areas.
“I think it's great to see the gravel traps back,” said the Spaniard. “And it's probably going to give the FIA some confidence that these kind of run-off areas work to protect from track limits and all those issues that we're having in other tracks, so it was nice to see.”
However, when asked if gravel traps could be used more widely, Masi stressed that it wasn’t possible.
“No, we can't not have them everywhere,” said the Australian. “It's not a one size fits all, as I've said this multiple times. We need to come up with the appropriate solutions with each of the circuit owners and operators.
“And we'll continue working through that. We've already discussed it with the drivers. So I think it's a bit much to ask. It's not the solution everywhere, let's put it that way.”
Read Also:
- F1 drivers would "love" return to Mugello in 2021
- Safety car lights change wouldn't have stopped pile-up - Latifi
- The key questions about the Mugello restart crash
GPDA director Sebastian Vettel suggested that one possible option could be a strip of gravel between the track and an asphalt run-off.
“I think as a driver you prefer the fact that if you go off, it gets penalised,” said the Ferrari driver.
“I think it makes things a lot more straightforward. But I think you have to balance also the gravel against the asphalt in terms of if things go wrong.
“Maybe we can have an intermediate solution where you have a gravel strip initially, and therefore there is no point to go wide, and after that have asphalt for the benefit of having less run-off, bring the spectators closer to the track, and make it safer for us, so the cars slow down if you lose control or whatever.
“It’s not an easy one, but for sure with all the asphalt around in some tracks, it does take away the character and make it a bit too easy to make mistakes.”
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 explains Hamilton brake fire on Mugello grid
Next article Ocon: F1 drivers will learn from Mugello restart carnage
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Adam Cooper
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
RB: Tsunoda “mentally on a different level” in 2024
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti planning F2 and F3 entries to promote US talent to F1 team
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Formula 1
Formula 1
Andretti F1 team formally opens new Silverstone facility
Latest news
Manthey acknowledges IMSA to be "tougher than expected" despite two wins
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 8 h
Manthey acknowledges IMSA to be "tougher than expected" despite two wins
How a philosophy shift brought BMW to new heights in 2026
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 8 h
How a philosophy shift brought BMW to new heights in 2026
Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
8 h
Fred Vasseur reveals two costly moments that denied Ferrari US GP double podium
Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship
ARCA
ARCA ARCA 10 h
Cleetus McFarland set to compete full-time for 2027 ARCA championship
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