FIA introduces new track limit rules ahead of the Mexican GP

40

Following last weekend's controversy involving Max Verstappen and track limits, the FIA has imposed new rules for this weekend's Mexican GP.

The ending of last year's race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez was marred in confusion when Max Verstappen was handed a penalty post-race for running wide at Turn 1 while battling Sebastian Vettel, a decision with threw the Red Bull driver off the podium.

An almost identical scenario occurred last weekend in Austin when Verstappen was hit with a time penalty after it was deemed he had gained an advantage by exceeding track limits at COTA while overtaking Kimi Raikkonen.

The FIA has placed 50 mm-high speed bumps on the left hand part of the track between Turns 1 and 2 in a bid to deter drivers from running wide.

Sergio Perez pays tribute to Mexico with special helmet

Any driver who transgresses the limits will be forced to go around a second series of speed bumps, placed between Turns 2 and 3, before they rejoin the track, thus losing time.

"For safety reasons, any driver who either passes to the left of or runs over the orange kerb sections on the driver's left between Turns 1 and 2, or who passes to the left of the bollard on the apex of Turn 2, must re-join the track by driving around the end of the orange kerb sections on the driver's left between Turns 2 and 3."

Speed bumps have also been laid down at Turns 8 and 11.

"For safety reasons, any driver whose car passes completely behind the kerb on the apex of Turn 8 must re-join the track by keeping wholly to the right of the orange kerb parallel to the track on the exit of the corner," Whiting stated.

"For safety reasons, any driver whose car passes completely behind the kerb on the apex of Turn 11 must rejoin the track by keeping wholly to the left of the orange kerb parallel to the track on the exit of the corner."

Force India posted a picture of the obstructive bumps on its social media account.

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.