New rules have been issued to Formula One drivers on how they must rejoin the track if they use the run-off at Sochi’s turn two.
The first braking point at the Sochi Autodrom has been a significant trouble spot in recent seasons. As was the case in the last two seasons drivers have been given new instructions on Saturday on how to negotiate the run-off at this corner.
“Any driver who fails to negotiate turn two by using the track, and who passes completely to the left of the orange kerb element on the apex, must then re-join the track by driving between the two new orange polystyrene blocks,” the FIA told teams. “Drivers are reminded that having left the track they must re-join safely.”
Last year Carlos Sainz Jnr criticised the configuration of the corner’s run off and Jenson Button called for changes to be made before F1’s return.
Lewis Hamilton was given a reprimand for failing to negotiate the run-off correctly during qualifying. During the race Felipe Nasr collected a five-second time penalty for doing the same.
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
29th April 2017, 10:08
Ad infinitum. Maybe give a bigger punishment to cars that cut corners, that’ll stop them.
Zazeems (@zazeems)
29th April 2017, 10:36
For goodness sake. This sort of thing is embarrassing for F1.
Just change the runoff area or the corner. Surely it’s within the power of the FIA to lean on the race organisers and make it happen?
socksolid (@socksolid)
29th April 2017, 10:44
The corner is just stupid anyways. They had blank canvas and this is the best they could come up with? All they need to do is to move the 2nd corner further away from the 1st one and cutting won’t be an issue anymore.
anon
29th April 2017, 11:02
@socksolid, except they didn’t have a blank canvas given that the IOC made it clear that, if there was the possibility construction of the circuit could even remotely impact on the construction of facilities for the Winter Olympics, they would immediately launch legal action.
Strontium (@strontium)
29th April 2017, 11:07
But now the facilities are built, done, and basically disused, there’s nothing stopping them from changing it
Strontium (@strontium)
29th April 2017, 11:09
This is perhaps the worst corner on the F1 calendar. There is no reason for it to be this shape. There is enough room to change the layout to stop it being a problem, while ensuring it still slows cars enough for turn 3.
Further to that, I see an easy solution to this issue would be very simply grass and gravel in the run-off area.
Unicron (@unicron2002)
29th April 2017, 11:40
Agreed, Formula One really is above having to mess about with polystyrene blocks and white lines painted on a sea of tarmac. Leave the tarmac in line with the straight, convert the rest to gravel and/or grass. It’s then a natural deterrent and a way to slow the cars before rejoining the circuit.
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
29th April 2017, 11:27
I don’t have a problem with the corner per se, in fact I think it’s a decent corner that works as a funnel, requires a quick change of direction and benefits drivers who can keep the car as tight and straight as possible along the second little bend. It’s just that the track should have far closer walls here, the run-off allows drivers to cheat. Move the wall in twenty or so yards and give everyone going off there a five-second penalty if they remotely stay on the throttle. Sorted.
Unicron (@unicron2002)
29th April 2017, 11:42
I hadn’t thought of bringing the wall in close to the exit, not a bad idea at all. Then it will be very similar to turns 2 and 3 at the Valencia ‘urban’ circuit. No issues with going off the track there!
Robert
29th April 2017, 11:52
😬
Imre (@f1mre)
29th April 2017, 12:02
What if they put foam advertisements throughout the whole run-off area? (like the corner marker numbers) That would not have any safety issues but cars would collect them when they hit them, potentially causing heating issues.
Also, why don’t they put more obstacles on the right side of the run-off area? Like in the chikanes in Monza. The cars slow down enough by then.
Aren’t there any materials that slow down cars safely but also destroy tyres a bit? Those should be used in corners like this.
OOliver
29th April 2017, 12:32
The FIA are just daft. There are many ways you can get the corner wrong. Out braking yourself is obvious and I understand the safety concerns about rejioning the track. But if you barely leave the track such as when you are with momentum and still headed in the right direction, there is no safety concern.
Michael Brown (@)
29th April 2017, 14:02
Get rid of that stupid kink. The corner is too narrow as it is which isn’t good for wheel-to-wheel action.
Michael Brown (@)
29th April 2017, 14:02
Hamilton rejoins the track like a sane person would but that isn’t good enough for F1