Grosjean in favour of increasing track limits

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Romain Grosjean is among those drivers who believe the rules governing the territorial limits of a race track are too stringent, and that the sport would perhaps benefit from awarding drivers a bit more space.

Much discussion has taken place recently in Formula 1 on the subject of kerbs and track limits, as warnings or outright penalties have come into force, much to the displeasure of many.

As a spectator and as a driver, Grosjean argues in favor of increasing track limits.

"I like the liberty, the freedom of going wide," explained the Haas driver.

"I think it looks great running on the kerbs. I watched the NASCAR race at Sonoma and their track limits are… well, I don’t know why they paint white lines!

"And it looked great. I mean everyone is doing the same. In the end, sometimes it’s more risky because you go on a kerb and on a surface that is less smooth. I’m quite in favour of letting cars run wide."

The Frenchman however would also exert caution however with regard to a few corners where either natural limits are found or where running wide offers no advantage. Grosjean stated Eau Rouge at Spa as a case in point.

"The Raidillon is a bit of a different case. You could go straight and then it’s not a corner anymore. In Eau Rouge, it makes sense to police [track limits], electronically or not, otherwise it’s just not fun.

"Turn 9 in Silverstone is a bit of tricky one as well because you don’t want the car to be completely off track but if we’re on the kerb and on the Astroturf fighting I think it’s a great corner. "

Reverting back to Sunday's German GP, Grosjean admitted that Turn 1 at Hockenheim would be close to flat-out if track limits were disregarded.

"That would require big bollocks. Maybe next year with the cars four to six seconds faster. The first corner is very tricky.

"You want to go wide, there is a high kerb and then the kerb destructs the car, there is a DRS zone in the same place.

"It makes sense, it's quite fun. You don’t want the car to go completely wide but a little bit on the kerb with sparks and so on it’s fine."

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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.