FIA clamps down on corning cutting at Paul Ricard

The FIA has clamped down on corner cutting at a number of points on-track ahead of this weekend’s French Grand Prix.

As detailed in the pre-race event notes issued by Formula 1 race director Michael Masi, the bollard system used at a number of circuits has been expanded at Paul Ricard to deter corning cutting at Turns 1 and 2, and the Turns 3-5 complex.

Two fluorescent bollards have been placed at Turn 2 to outline track limits, with an escape route in the run-off area also being determined by some arrowed blocks.

“Any driver who fails to negotiate Turn 2 by using the track, and who passes completely to the right of the first fluorescent yellow bollard on the apex of the corner, must keep completely to the right of the fluorescent yellow bollard and re-join the track by driving through the two arrays of blocks in the run-off by passing to the right of the first and to the left of the second,” the event notes read.

A similar system has been put in place at Turns 3-5: “Any driver who fails to negotiate Turn 4 by using the track, and who passes completely to the left of the fluorescent yellow bollard on the apex of the corner, must keep completely to the left of the fluorescent yellow bollard and re-join the track by driving to the left of two blocks in the run-off prior to Turn 5.”

These new deterrents are in addition to pre-planned escape roads for corner cutting at Turns 8 and 9.

However, these will only apply to the race, with any incidents in practice or qualifying being judged on a case-by-case basis.