Formula 1 governing body, the FIA, has announced a series of changes to how track limits will be policed compared to previous years, ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix.
Such changes have become common at many races this year as venues, like Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve adapt to the new, wider cars introduced this year.
Race Director Charlie Whiting stated the key adjustments, aimed at reducing risks especially following any run off the track to ensure a safe return.
“Any driver who fails to negotiate Turn 9 by using the track and who passes completely to the left of the orange kerb element on the apex of the corner, must keep completely to the left of the orange speed bump on the exit of the corner and rejoin the track at the far end of the asphalt run-off area,” his pre-event notes read.
“Any driver who fails to negotiate Turn 14 by using the track and who passes completely to the left of the orange kerb element on the apex of the corner, must keep to the left of the red and white polystyrene block and re-join the track at the far end of the asphalt run-off area.”
“The above requirements will not automatically apply to any driver who is judged to have been forced off the track, each such case will be judged individually.”
Due to the long straights and heaving braking zones around the lap chicane-cutting is particularly prevalent in Canada, particularly at the final chicane where the punishment for an error is usually a trip to the famous ‘Wall of Champions’.