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George Russell

Russell makes 'simple' suggestion to combat track limits

Track limits have come under the spotlight once again in Formula 1 after the Qatar Grand Prix.

Russell Qatar
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To news overview © Mercedes F1

George Russell has suggested a "simple" solution to combat the growing problem with track limits at certain circuits in Formula 1.

There was a total of 51 lap times deleted throughout the Qatar Grand Prix, with only Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, and Lewis Hamilton not falling foul - the latter two having retired either before or in the opening stages of the race.

Drivers mainly blamed the sweltering conditions in their cockpits at Qatar, which Valtteri Bottas branded as "torture" and several others criticised as being at the limit.

This was created by the mix of harsher track limits and mandated stint lengths due to safety concerns with the Pirelli tyres, forcing drivers to effectively produce qualifying laps without any respite between stints.

It is not the first time track limits has come under the spotlight this season, after the Austrian GP saw 83 lap times deleted and a final order published several hours after the race.

Russell: We need better circuits

Sergio Perez called the track limits penalties a "joke" while FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has suggested that circuits could lose their spot on the calendar if they do not find a solution.

When asked what solutions he would introduce, Russell told media including RacingNews365: "It's quite simple design tracks that don't allow you to go over track limits.

"We don't have the problem at Suzuka, I don't think we really have a problem at Silverstone, which is also high speed.

"But it's just a handful of circuits that we have it always. It's pretty clear they just need to make a better circuit."

F1 2023 Qatar Grand Prix RN365 News dossier

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