F1 in "nightmare" scenario over circuit run-off areas

Formula 1 has been accused of putting itself in a "nightmare" position with run-off areas at circuits, although some drivers understand why MotoGP-influenced changes are being made

The issue of track limits has been an element of two key moments in the last two grands prix after Sebastian Vettel's controversial penalty in Canada and Daniel Ricciardo's pair of penalties in France.

Haas driver and Grand Prix Drivers Association director Romain Grosjean said: "We're putting ourselves in a position which has become a nightmare with those circuits with run-off everywhere.

"You don't have that problem at Suzuka, you don't have that problem in Monaco, you don't have that problem in Canada.

"I always say Paul Ricard, I love it, it's my home race. Two metres of grass on each side of the white line, track limits, it can become the best track in the world.

"But just because there's so much run-off, who gives a damn about going straight."

In many cases, extra run-off and certain kerb profiling has been done because circuits host MotoGP as well as F1.

One such circuit is the Red Bull Ring, home of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, which has had minor changes to track limits with areas of grass replaced by extended run-off.

At the end of the kerbs at Turn 3 at the top of the hill and beginning of the kerb at the Turn 4 right-hander, the concrete has been extended.

The same has been done at at the start of the kerbs at Turn 7 (the fast left-hander in the middle of the lap) and Turn 9 (the penultimate corner).

In addition, the run-off at Turn 4 has been reconfigured and extended, and the concrete is also extended on the left and right kerbs at Turn 8.

Alfa Romeo driver Kimi Raikkonen said: "It hasn't changed an awful lot from the first times I was here.

"The first corner has changed a bit and the run-off areas, but I mean a lot of things have been done because of MotoGP and I understand why.

"It's already dangerous and when they hit the grass patch it's game over."

However, Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel says these changes are not "relevant" to the wider track limits debate.

"Asphalt runoffs have a justification," he said. "Am I a fan of asphalt runoffs? No.

"The increase this year here is not relevant. I went around the track and it's not like now it gives you plenty of new opportunity to go off or go wide.

"With the asphalt runoffs there's certain difficulties, hence why I think around here we see these yellow speed bumps and quite violent kerbs.

"It's not the ideal solution but it seemed to work last year.

"It's a compromise that we unfortunately have to live with."