Update on drivers’ opinion over Hungarian GP electronic track limits system

The FIA’s decision to use electronic detection technology at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix to stop track limits being abused has met with a mixed response from Formula 1 drivers.

Track limits were a big talking point in Austria, when there was criticism of the raised yellow kerbing, and Britain.

There are timing sensors at Turns 4 and 11, where new double kerbs have been installed and the artificial grass removed, at the Hungaroring to detect whether drivers go off track with all four wheels.

Sebastian Vettel was critical of the move.

“It’s the FIA to blame for building circuits that make it faster to run off the track than on the track,” he said. “It’s quite disappointing.

“The result is it’s faster to go off track than to stay on track.

“It doesn’t make much sense, does it?”

Daniil Kvyat echoed that view.

“Just put a normal kerb there and you don’t need all these electronic systems,” he said.

“It seems like the people who are taking these directions don’t know what to do.

“Now we have some sensors, maybe they’ll work correctly, maybe they’ll fuck everyone up.

“I personally trust my eyes more than the sensors.”

Jolyon Palmer said “it’s better than not having it” but would “rather they put gravel on the other side”.

He added: “I would rather there was a physical deterrent because for the drivers, it would be a bigger challenge to drive.”

But McLaren’s Jenson Button believes it is a good idea because a measure is required to stop drivers exceeding track limits.

“It’s good, I like it,” he said. “The way things are, all of the kerbs are pretty similar on all circuits now, so they’re easy to run over on exits.

“We need something, we need a limit to stop us going over there.”

Lewis Hamilton, who lost one of his lap times during qualifying for the British Grand Prix after running wide, also backed the idea.

“It will be an easier thing for them to police because at the moment some corners we’re allowed to go out,” he said.

“Silverstone Turn 7 [Luffield], you’re allowed to drive straight off the track no problem, which is an advantage but at Turn 9 [Copse] you’re not allowed to, which isn’t an advantage if you go off.

“It’s a good step forward.”

Fernando Alonso added: “It’s good. Then we don’t rely on the marshals or on the TV and if you were broadcast in that moment or not.

“It’s technology that is there already so it’s good to use it. In Formula 1 you should have the maximum of everything.”

This is not the first time that the FIA has used sensors, although when the technology has been used before it was to monitor shortcuts at chicanes.

Autosport understands the FIA decided to trial the technology this weekend to correlate observations and video footage with sensor findings and it will then make a decision over whether the system has a future.

Category: Formula One