After the avalanche of penalties from Spielberg, the world automobile association FIA is under pressure. The image of Formula 1 has received more than just a scratch in Austria.
The trophies had long since been handed over and the champagne had been spilled when the green table was needed. The team leadership of Aston-Martin namely looked closely and found that the race management around the German Niels Wittich by no means all violations of the so-called Track Limits had punished. The race result was not officially set until 9:45 p.m., 317 minutes after Max Verstappen had once again crossed the finish line first.
130 violations, 1,200 reviews
“Boundless Chaos”the Spanish newspaper complained “Mundo Deportivo”. The FIA was overwhelmed with checking its own rule, the “several departures from the route without a valid reason” sanctioned. In the current race alone, 130 violations for illegally crossing the white lines were recognized and punished – some with time penalties. And yet that was just the tip of the iceberg.
At some point on Sunday evening, the FIA had to sheepishly admit that around 1,200 (!) situations had to be checked afterwards. In the end, “only” eight drivers received subsequent time penalties, and nothing changed in the victory of world champion Verstappen ahead of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
FIA encourages conversion
At least that. The world association excused the chaos by saying that a “unpredictable situation” had occurred. However, Verstappen already criticized after that qualifying on Friday, the best racers in the world would face the many disallowed lap times “like amateurs” look.
Who is to blame, what is the solution? The FIA suggested “to install a gravel bed at the exit of turns 9 and 10”. be this “Compared to other series that race here, it’s not an easy solution”but she had similar problems with other curves and routes than “very effective” proven.
However, the Red Bull Ring is also home to the Motorcycle World Championship. For the two-wheelers, the flat curbs that are installed in Spielberg in the last two corners before the start-finish grade are definitely relevant for safety. And only on Saturday did the safety debate in motorsport flare up again after the death of Dilano van’t Hoff.
“Line judge” overwhelmed
In the past, long and thin curbs were used in Spielberg in addition to the existing curbs to prevent Formula 1 drivers from exceeding the track limit. However, teams rebelled as repair bills for front wings and suspensions skyrocketed, with almost every run over resulting in damage. In 2020, the so-called sausage curbs were removed and the line control system was introduced.
Once again, no one is satisfied. One thing is clear: the “line judges” must not be overwhelmed any further. The case of Nico Hülkenberg shows how overwhelming the system is. The Rhinelander had long since left his wrecked Haas and was giving interviews when the race director duly issued a warning to the German – while the contentious scenes on the track increased almost every second.
Verstappen sovereign
Verstappen couldn’t care less. The “human wrecking ball” (“Daily Mail”) controlled the events at will in his fifth Grand Prix victory in a row. Only once was he too far off the track with his superior Red Bull. At least the Dutchman didn’t look like an amateur on Sunday.