FIA clarifies stance on Formula 1 track limits at Hockenheim Turn 1

Drivers were left confused in the wake of the Friday practice sessions as there was no specific instruction in place prior to the first run, only to then be told afterwards track limits rules would be in enforced for the remainder of the weekend.

It also followed Thursday's Strategy Group meeting in which the teams felt they had reached an agreement with FIA race director Charlie Whiting to veer away from the imposition of track limit penalties.

During a media briefing on Friday, Whiting then stated such a move would be "inappropriate".

That appeared to be underlined by the fact that there were 93 breaches of the track limits at Turn 1 during Friday morning's first free practice session.

Following discussions with the drivers' on Friday evening, the FIA has now issued a new directive to all teams.

It reads: "Based upon our observations of the way in which the new kerb on the exit of Turn 12 [pictured above] is used, and the comments made in the [drivers'] meeting yesterday [Friday] evening, we feel the usable track limit at Turn 1 should be the outer edge of the kerb, ie: the edge furthest away from the track.

"The performance of any driver going beyond this point, with any part of the car, will be examined in order to establish whether or not an advantage was gained by exceeding this limit."

At the Hungaroring for last weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, the FIA imposed a rule whereby if a driver exceeded track limits four times at Turns 4 and 11, a drive-through penalty would be imposed.