Formula 1 Track Limits Solution Implemented at Silverstone Circuit
In a bid to resolve the ongoing issue of Formula 1 track limits, the Silverstone circuit has incorporated elements of the solution deployed at the Red Bull Ring, following its successful debut at the Austrian Grand Prix. The FIA’s new arrangement, which involves adding gravel and reducing kerb size, aims to prevent drivers from automatically running wide without consequence beyond lap time deletion.
At Silverstone, the critical points of focus for track limits, Stowe and Copse, have received significant attention. At Copse, the fast right-hander, the track limits white line has been painted onto the corner’s exit kerb, reducing the width between the far edge of the kerb and the inside edge of the white line to 1.5m. This change, similar to the one implemented at the Red Bull Ring, is designed to make it easier for drivers to see when they are getting close to infringing track limits. The white line features a blue line addition, as seen in Austria, to assist drivers further.
Motorsport.com understands that while there is no gravel deployed at Copse other than in the far back of the run-off area, the FIA believes the grip level difference between the run-off and the track is enough to act as a deterrent.
At Stowe, the changes are different, with the gravel trap on the outside of the corner moved towards the track by 6-8m in places, and the white line also shifted left on the exit kerb. The significant run-off area wide of the kerbs and between the extended gravel trap remains intact. These changes were made in consultation with MotoGP riders, who will race at Silverstone next month.
The FIA’s plan to use the same system at Silverstone as in Austria was developed for both tracks simultaneously, with the intention of addressing the track limits issue at these two circuits for the 2024 F1 events. While it may not be possible to fit new gravel traps or extend existing ones at other venues where the track limits issue arises, the FIA is planning to deploy the white line movement part of the solution at some upcoming events.
The results of the track limits solution in Austria continue to be felt, with Williams driver Logan Sargeant and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri still unhappy about losing important lap times in qualifying at the Red Bull Ring’s Turn 6. Piastri, in particular, expressed frustration over the situation, calling it “embarrassing” in post-qualifying media appearances.
In other changes to the track, a “combination” kerb has been removed from the right-hand side of Village (Turn 3), per the event notes distributed by the FIA on behalf of race director Niels Wittich. A gravel trap has been added on the left-hand side of Chapel, and the first part of the Club complex, reducing the asphalt runoff to 1.7m on the right-hand side of the track. The combination kerb on the inside of the first part of Club – Turn 16 – has been replaced with grass, and the asphalt run-off down the left-hand side of the pit straight is now lined with grass. The white line on the left-hand side of Turn 11 (Becketts) and Turn 17 (the second part of Club) has also been moved further to the left.
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