Red Bull frustrated by “expensive” F1 track limits ‘inconsistencies’

Max Verstappen thought he had taken the fastest lap bonus point on his way to finishing second behind Lewis Hamilton in the Portuguese Grand Prix, only to have the lap time deleted shortly after the chequered flag for exceeding the white lines at Turn 14 on the last lap.

Upon being informed that he had lost his fastest lap bonus point during the post-race interviews in parc ferme, the Dutchman branded the decision “odd” having incorrectly believed that track limits were not being policed at Turn 14.

Verstappen had been denied the fastest lap of qualifying on Saturday due to a track limits infringement, while he was forced to give back the lead to Hamilton in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix after passing the Mercedes driver off the track at Turn 4.

Horner also highlighted how Lando Norris had passed Sergio Perez in Portimao by going all four wheels off the track at Turn 1 without any investigation, though Perez was able to retake fourth place.

“The whole track limits debate is just frustrating,” Horner said.

“It’s been brutal for us across the first three events. The win in Bahrain, the pole position yesterday and now the fastest lap. So it’s been pretty expensive for us.

“[Lando] Norris passed Checo fully off the track, again another track limits inconsistency.”

Speaking to Sky Sports Germany after the race, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko said he believes “something has to change” with F1’s track limits rules, which he called “annoying”.

“Now we've lost the victory, fastest lap, and pole position,” Marko said.“All good things come in threes. I hope that's the end of it.

“Something has to change. Either you make a boundary with kerbs or you make gravel or something. If you go out, there's an automatic penalty.

“[Lando] Norris overtook [Sergio] Perez, went over with all four wheels, and there were no consequences. So it's not consistent, and that's not racing when you juggle the rules like that.”