Many track limit violations were recorded annually at the Austrian Red Bull Ring, especially in the last two corners of the ring.
In 2024, the organizers of the Austrian Grand Prix filled the safety zones on the outside of these corners with gravel, creating a kind of natural obstacle, and Max Verstappen in particular thinks this is a better solution.
Race Director Nils Wittich explained the new approach: “Of course something had to change. This year we are creating a natural obstacle in the form of a gravel strip and are bringing more clarity to the way we determine the track limits.
Gravel strips have been installed behind the kerbs at the exit of turns 9 and 10, which end the lap – many violations were recorded here last year.
Where this is impossible, i.e. in turns 1, 3, 4 and 6, the track itself has been slightly modified, i.e. the edge is now closer to the existing gravel traps.
At these points the edge of the racing surface is 1.8m from the gravel trap – this is done due to the fact that the white stripe is now on the curb itself, part of which is painted black so that it is seen as an extension of the track surface.
Riders know exactly where the edge of the track is. This is what they wanted and asked for. They will feel it immediately when they approach it, and if one of the wheels touches the gravel, the movement of the car will slow down, and this will become a kind of penalty.
In addition to the white line, a blue line has been added behind it to give more contrast to the visual image and to make it easier for stewards to record violations.
“Gravel is a cheap material and can be considered a simple solution that can be used on most tracks,” Wittich continued. – For example, about a month after the Austrian Grand Prix, the MotoGP stage is held at the Red Bull Ring. Since motorcyclists do not like curbs turning into gravel traps, the gravel is removed and the shoulder is repaved.
The gravel will be stored until next year, when the organizers will remove the asphalt and re-lay the gravel… There are other circuits, for example Austin, where we would also like to apply a similar solution, creating a kind of gravel. Natural obstacle. We will study all the tracks to understand where similar changes can be made; the process of looking for opportunities for improvement is ongoing.”
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
