Fred Vasseur explains why "time limit on out-lap in Qualifying is a joke"

Fred Vasseur explains why “time limit on out-lap in Qualifying is a joke”. Frederic Vasseur on the issue of the time limit on out-lap in Qualifying.

Track limits and more: many issues to solve for the FIA
The 2023 F1 championship has brought to light complex issues difficult for spectators to understand on several occasions. Track limits have been the most glaring example, with the order of the Austrian Grand Prix, for instance, being overturned after the stewards’ analysis of on-board footage led to post-race penalties for infractions of track limits.

The same occurred in the United States in Austin, with Haas, weeks later, requesting the right to review after examining potential infractions that would have brought Nico Hulkenberg into points contention if penalties were applied for drivers not respecting track limits. The FIA rejected Haas’s request, but it is clear that this issue must be addressed heading into the 2024 Formula One championship.

Even in Qualifying, situations at the limit are abundant, and to reduce cases of impeding, starting from the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza circuit, a time limit to adhere to during the out-lap has been introduced. This rule led to ad-hoc stops in the pit lane to find space and then respect the time limit. Ferrari’s team principal, Frederic Vasseur, highlighted that these are all topics on the agenda in the F1 Commission meetings.

“The biggest problem this season concerned the consistency of decisions made, which we are discussing in the F1 Commission,” said Frederic Vasseur during the Christmas lunch in Maranello. “The priority is for fans to understand what is happening on the track. We can talk about track limits or the time limit for the out-lap in qualifying, which was a joke. George Russell went to the stewards 14 times and was never penalized. It means either the rule is wrong, or it is not enforced, but it makes no sense to have a rule and not act when it is broken. I hope this is a temporary problem.” – the French manager pointed out in his interview for the Italian media.