Toto Wolff on track limits: “The rules must be clear”

The limits of the track remain a rule often mentioned during circuit competitions, with sometimes the desire to go to the limits of the possibilities with the regulations for teams and drivers.

The last Bahrain Grand Prix did not deviate from the rule with a turn 4 which largely decided the fate of the event. Returned on the heels of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), Max Verstappen (Red Bull) used every possible centimeter on the Sakhir track, crossing the racing line to take the advantage over the Briton's W12.

Forced to surrender his position, the Dutchman will never be able to get back on the world champion. The latter had, however, regularly exceeded the limits of the track on this famous turn 4 during the race, before being called to order by the race management, with the possibility of being given a black and white flag.

A particular situation since during qualifying, such liberties with the racing line in this area were quickly synonymous with the cancellation of the times. Hence the questioning of Toto wolff on this subject.

« The rules must be clear, sacred and not a Shakespeare novel which leaves room for interpretation, wishes the Mercedes Team Principal. We need to be consistent in how messages are delivered...

We must remember from this that this parameter must be simple, so that everyone can understand it without having the document in the car to remember what is really allowed and what is not.

At the start of the race it was said that track limits at turn 4 would not be punished. And then we suddenly heard that if we continued to go out wide, it would be considered an advantage and could result in a penalty.

Which we discussed with the race director but there was nothing to be done. In the end, this decision won us the race. Max went wide in the race director's definition, taking an advantage. »

One of the recurring defects of the asphalt runoffs implemented for several years, and which we find in many championships today.

Discover the full report and analysis of the Bahrain Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondent in Sakhir, in issue 2305 of AUTOhebdo, available now in digital version and on newsstands.