'Three strikes' policy for track limit abuse
Drivers have been warned they will receive a likely drive-through penalty if they are deemed to have abused track limits on more than three occasions during this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.
New for this weekend's race, the FIA have installed 'timing loops' into the exit kerbs of Turn 4 and Turn 11 to more accurately determine whether a car has strayed too far off the track, with a race control message being automatically generated.
Previously, the FIA has used replays to determine whether a car has run wide enough so that all four wheels are clear of the white line on the exit of the bend.
The FIA has gone on to clarify what will constitute a penalty in race conditions, with drivers informed they will receive a black/white warning flag after three offences so long as they aren't deemed out of their control. A fourth offence will lead to a 'likely' drive-through penalty.
The FIA also confirmed there will be a 'zero tolerance' approach to track limits abuse in qualifying, with lap times being deleted.
"We will be adopting a "zero tolerance" approach to cars leaving the track at Turns 4 and 11 during qualifying. Please note that this will be judged by the use of timing loops in the kerbs and, to ensure that we see no false crossings, we would like to make it clear that the loops are set up to register a crossing when a car is approximately 20cm beyond the while line. Every lap time achieved by leaving the track will be deleted in accordance with Article 12.3.1.d of the Sporting Code.
"During the race, and in accordance with Article 27.4 of the Sporting Regulations, any driver who is judged to have left the track three times at these corners (when counted cumulatively) will be shown a black and white flag, one further crossing will result in a report being made to the stewards for not having made every reasonable effort to use the track. As discussed, this is likely to result in a drive-through penalty for any driver concerned.
"However, if we are satisfied that a driver left the track at these points for reasons beyond his control, having been forced off the track for example, lap times will not be deleted during qualifying nor will such a crossing be counted towards a drivers total in the race."
