WATCH: Valtteri Bottas Voices His Displeasure With Michael Masi on Mercedes F1 Radio
Follow Us
Valtteri Bottas was left confused during the second practice session by the changing track limits in Qatar. For context, Losail Circuit is hosting a Formula 1 race for the first-time and race director Michael Masi has been constantly reviewing the track limits.
Drivers were given a free go during the first practice session. However, a new dictate was issued for the FP2, and non-compliance with the same resulted in deleted lap time for Bottas and others as well.
Valtteri Bottas admits to some confusion
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Finn recorded the fastest lap time during the second practice session of 1:23:154, which was later deleted for exceeding track limits on turn 7. He was left confused when the engineer told him about the changing track limits, “they are making them as we go.”
Bottas set the pace with another lap, this time 0.006 seconds quicker than his previously fastest lap. He was followed by AlphaTauri of Pierre Gasly and Red Bull of Max Verstappen. But Bottas didn’t seem particularly happy with the communication gap on the track limits.
Trending
MET Gala 2024: Lewis Hamilton Turns Garden of Time Into Bold Tribute to Black History in $5.3 Billion Brand’s Outfit
May 07, 2024 02:06 AM EDT
Kendall Jenner Accidentally Leaks Lewis Hamilton’s MET Gala 2024 Plans During $136,000 Tommy Hilfiger Joyride
May 06, 2024 03:09 PM EDT
Carlos Sainz Misses Lando Norris’ Miami GP Celebrations to Get Potential Audi Move Completed
May 06, 2024 08:13 PM EDT
F1 Fans Slam Insecure Fernando Alonso For Playing Race Card Against Lewis Hamilton in Miami
May 04, 2024 08:52 PM EDT
Patrick Mahomes & Wife Brittany’s Miami GP Double Date in Trouble as Travis Kelce Apparently Ditches Taylor Swift for Kentucky Derby
May 04, 2024 09:54 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
“It would have been nice to know before, Michael,” said the Mercedes driver addressing race director Michael Masi on the radio.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“All the run-offs are tarmac, so it’s quite easy to go off and gain time,” he said, as reported by Motorsport. “Even some of my fastest laps, I had confusion, I didn’t know what was allowed and what wasn’t.”
What are the rules now?
Initially, the track limits were monitored only on Turn 4, 12, 13, 14, and 16 as per the guidelines. However, after the first practice session, track limits were included at each corner. “The track limit on the exit of each corner at this track is defined as when no part of a car remains in contact with the purple and white kerb,” the revised note issued by Masi read.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The blanket rule was not communicated well with the drivers, which led to confusion and deleted lap times for many. Later in the evening, another note from the race director listed turns 2, 7, and 16 as specific areas of concern.
Read Also – Qatar Grand Prix FP3 Report: Red Bull Face F1 Rear Wing Hitch as Bottas Steals the Show in Losail