The Max Verstappen – Lando Norris case has set a precedent.
Kart racing represents the first steps toward motorsport, and the risk of distorting what happens in karting has been contested by drivers and some team principals in light of recent incidents, often involving Max Verstappen and Lando Norris.
The drivers met with the Stewards in Qatar, and according to George Russell, a “new” overtaking rule should come into effect starting from Lusail. This rule is essentially a return to the “basic” karting rules. “We’re not talking about rocket science,” Russell said, as reported by racingnews365.com. “Currently, the rule states that the driver on the inside must leave space for the driver on the outside, but this part will be scrapped. Just like in karting, if you’re on the inside and stay within the track limits, the driver on the outside cannot complain. The driver on the inside has the right to the racing line.”
Loopholes or not, the fundamental issue behind these situations is the F1 circuits, which too often feature paved run-off areas that allow drivers to take risks and make bold moves diving inside their rivals: “If all the corners were like Turn 4 in Austria, where if you make a mistake by a centimeter you’re in the gravel, everything would be much easier,” George Russell added. “Now we’ve reached this conclusion between inside and outside: if you’re on the inside and stay within the track limits, you have the right to the racing line. But most of the disputes that arise after wheel-to-wheel duels stem from the fact that, in certain corners, drivers take the risk of attacking only because they are confident they won’t suffer consequences due to the asphalt run-off areas.”
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