Drivers to discuss with Masi 'messy' track limits issue - Verstappen

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Max Verstappen says F1 drivers will discuss the "messy" issue of track limits with FIA race director Michael Masi in Friday's drivers' briefing at Imola.

The topic was at the forefront of F1's opening round in Bahrain where Verstappen briefly overtook race leader Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of the event at Sakhir's Turn 4, but the Red Bull driver was forced to give back the position for running wide at the corner while passing his rival.

While few disputed the stewards' call, the problem of track limits was especially underscored by Hamilton regularly being allowed to run wide at the same corner earlier in the race, until the stewards finally intervened and warned the Mercedes driver over the move.

“Things can be easily resolved if you just put a wall there or gravel, it would help a lot,” said Verstappen.

“In qualifying we had to stay on the kerb, so that is also what I was doing in the race, to be clean, but then of course I heard that Lewis was just going wide, so I did it for two laps, but then I was not allowed to do it anymore.

“I don’t think you should be able to change it through the race.

“Either you can go wide, or not. I can understand of course with my overtake outside of the track limits that that’s not allowed, so that’s fine.

“But if you cannot gain an advantage by going wide overtaking, why are you allowed to do it on your own? That is what I think is not correct."

Read also: FIA lays down the law for track limits at Imola

Verstappen and his colleagues will therefore discuss the controversial issue with Masi on Friday.

“So we will talk about that with the drivers and also with Michael about it, and we’ll see what comes out of it. I think it was a little bit messy in the race.

“I think everything before that was very strict and I think good, how we handled everything.

“But definitely in the race, I think for 30 laps or something, Lewis was going wide, and you gain time there. I tried it for two laps, and then they told me not to, so it’s a bit odd.”

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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.