Kvyat says track limit 'bullshit' is killing F1 racing

AlphaTauri's Daniil Kvyat expressed his frustration with F1's continued scrutiny over "bullshit" track limits after countless penalties were handed out to drivers at Imola on Saturday.

The subject of track limits is a recurring topic at almost every track this season, and this weekend's round at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is no exception.

In Saturday's single practice session, a total of 60 lap times were deleted for infringements at Turns 9 and 15!

In a briefing held between practice and qualifying, FIA race director Michael Masi clarified more precisely the limits at the two corners as well as at Turn 13, which led to only eight lap time deletions in qualifying.

But Kvyat says the endless debate over track limits and penalties could be put to rest if gravel lined the circuits.

"We don't need these white lines," the Russian said. "We just need old school gravel traps and you go off and you just go off, without all this 'cross white line', 'don't cross white line' bullshit.

"It makes me quite upset because it kills a lot racing. And it just kills such a great track as well. That's the problem."

Kvyat says he vented his frustration to Masi during the drivers' post-practice briefing.

"I mentioned it to him," he said. "But the track owners, they have to build run-off areas for other purposes, perhaps. We know it. In Mugello there was never a problem with run-off, with track limits. There were gravel traps, simple as that.

"And I think most of us would agree that this was the best solution, but unfortunately not on every track we can have that. So we'll need to probably look for a better solution."

• Read also: Mugello gravel traps not 'one size fits all' solution for F1 - Masi

Red Bull's Alex Albon, who saw eight of his laps deleted in practice and qualifying, also favored the presence of gravel as a track's natural boundary.

"Honestly, I don’t know why we’re changing different corners and different track limits," Albon said. "Just put gravel and we’ll be fine.

"I’m sure people will comment that drivers need to respect [track limits] but we’re pushing out there and these cars are so well built that, for us, there is basically no risk or punishment for going too wide.

"It’s just pure lap time. The more you can get close to that white line you’ll just go faster and faster.

"It all comes more down to the circuits. If you think about, say, Nürburgring, that’s a great example of a good track with good exit kerbs and then gravel straight away.

"I understand that they've got to take into consideration, like MotoGP and bikes, so I'm not one to direct anyone about how to do it.

"But it was, I guess for you guys as well, it's a bit frustrating and scruffy to see all of these lap times being deleted."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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