F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Total rethink of track limits now necessary, says Horner

After the FIA's controversial call to punish Max Verstappen for a bold overtaking move in the US GP, Christian Horner says F1 needs to rethink the notion of track limits.

The stewards hit Verstappen with a five-second penalty after they deemed that the Red Bull driver had gained an advantage by putting four wheels off the track at COTA's Turn 17.

Verstappen subsequently got the measure of Kimi Raikkonen to finish the race third, but the time penalty demoted him to fourth, much to the ire of the fan community and F1 in general.

Horner insists that either the FIA lays down the law for all drivers who run off the track, consistently, or refrains altogether from handing out penalties.

"It is what fans want to see," said Horner.

"If you don't want cars to go there, put a bigger kerb or put some gravel, or something else there.

"I think what is annoying is the lack of consistency. Where do you draw the line? For fans, for casual viewers, it needs to be clear."

Horner pointed to an earlier off-track excursion by Valtteri Bottas, which went unpunished, as evidence of the stewards' lack of consistency.

"How can you say that what Valtteri did on one hand is okay but what Max did isn't okay," said Horner.

"If in any other sport, you are out, then you are out. You cannot have, that is okay to be out there but not okay to be out here.

"Either get rid of it completely and let them race or if you don't want the cars to go there, put in a gravel trap, or bigger kerbs or a deterrent for the drivers not to go there."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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