Circuit Design at Fault - Stroll Says - Suggests Gravel Fix

Stroll Calls for Gravel to Curb F1 Track Limit Offences

31/10/2024

Lance Stroll argues that circuit layouts, not drivers, drive track limit breaches, proposing gravel and grass as practical solutions.

Lance Stroll doubts Aston Martin F1 can recapture its resurgence from last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos this time around. Although he’s fond of the Sao Paulo suburban circuit, he anticipates a challenging race but doesn’t rule out some good opportunities.

“Not really, because we’re in a different situation compared to last year. You know, we had a strong car here last year, so when the car’s good, the results come,” Stroll states.

“When the car is less competitive, it’s naturally harder to achieve those results. It’s a great track. I always enjoy coming here. There’s a good rhythm, a good flow, and it’s a lot of fun to drive. And maybe a bit of weather to shake things up, which always makes things interesting and creates opportunities.”

Questioned about the current debate surrounding Max Verstappen’s track infringements, the Canadian has a different view: “I think the issue lies with the tracks. You know, I think if we have these large runoff areas, it encourages drivers to brake too late, too deep, and go off track.”

“If we had gravel traps and grass, I think it would naturally solve these issues. Racing would be cleaner and fairer. But I also think the guidelines have become very complex: the front wing has to be alongside the outside car’s mirror and vice versa if you’re on the outside.”

“In the past, if part of your car was alongside, you had to leave room for other cars. That’s no longer the case, as the guidelines have become more complicated. So yes, maybe it’s something to consider for next year. But I think runoff areas are a major issue.”

Circuit Design at Fault – Stroll Says – Suggests Gravel Fix Circuit Design at Fault – Stroll Says – Suggests Gravel Fix

Full 2025 F1 testing results

Carlos Sainz
1
CARLOS
SAINZ
Leader
Lewis Hamilton
2
LEWIS
HAMILTON
+0.031s
Charles Leclerc
3
CHARLES
LECLERC
+0.083s
George Russell
4
GEORGE
RUSSELL
+0.197s
Max Verstappen
5
MAX
VERSTAPPEN
+0.218s
Alex Albon
6
ALEX
ALBON
+0.302s
Kimi Antonelli
7
KIMI
ANTONELLI
+0.436s
Oscar Piastri
8
OSCAR
PIASTRI
+0.592s
Pierre Gasly
9
PIERRE
GASLY
+0.692s
Lance Stroll
10
LANCE
STROLL
+0.881s
Liam Lawson
11
LIAM
LAWSON
+0.904s
Jack Doohan
12
JACK
DOOHAN
+1.020s
Yuki Tsunoda
13
YUKI
TSUNODA
+1.149s
Isack Hadjar
14
ISACK
HADJAR
+1.327s
Fernando Alonso
15
FERNANDO
ALONSO
+1.352s
Esteban Ocon
16
ESTEBAN
OCON
+1.380s
Lando Norris
17
LANDO
NORRIS
+1.534s
Gabriel Bortoleto
18
GABRIEL
BORTOLETO
+1.709s
Nico Hulkenberg
19
NICO
HULKENBERG
+2.109s
Oliver Bearman
20
OLIVER
BEARMAN
+3.013s

Testing Total Distance Covered by Team

1
Mercedes
458
2
Haas
457
3
Racing Bulls
454
4
Alpine
405
5
Williams
395
6
Ferrari
382
7
McLaren
381
8
Sauber
354
9
Aston Martin
306
10
Red Bull
304
Race Center
Australia Flag
Australian GP
13 Mar - 16 Mar
FP1
14 MAR 01:30
FP2
14 MAR 05:00
FP3
15 MAR 01:30
QU
15 MAR 05:00
RACE
16 MAR 04:00
F1 CALENDAR 2025
Race
Date
Australian Flag
Australian
Albert Park
16 Mar
Chinese Flag
Chinese
Shanghai International
23 Mar
Japanese Flag
Japanese
Suzuka Circuit
6 Apr
Bahrain Flag
Bahrain
Sakhir desert
13 Apr
Saudi Arabia Flag
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street
20 Apr
Go toTop

Don't Miss