Gravel Returns to F1 Circuits Drivers Rejoice

Gravel Returns to F1 Circuits: Drivers Rejoice

19/05/2024

Formula 1 drivers are celebrating the return of gravel run-offs at Imola. Lando Norris and others express their satisfaction with this change, hoping it will extend to other circuits.

Formula 1 drivers are pleased with the return of gravel to circuits, as Imola has reverted from asphalt run-offs in several corners. Lando Norris doesn’t understand why it was deemed impossible before, but the McLaren F1 driver is happy about the change.

“I feel like we’re going back to the situation from six or seven years ago. I don’t know why they put down asphalt. They said it was impossible to go back, and now we’re back to the previous situation,” notes Norris, who is also pleased with the decision to widen the white lines in several corners.

“When you try to drive and look at where the white line is relative to your tire and guess, it’s something we shouldn’t have to think about. So it’s more up to the driver to take the risk and commit to the corners. Especially on a track like this. We need to fully commit. It’s a bit of risk and reward.”

Max Verstappen shares this view: “It’s great, you know you’re punished if you go wide. And you don’t need to wonder if the tire is in the white line or not, thanks to the changes we made with the FIA to paint wider lines.”

Oscar Piastri hopes this is the start of a trend that could spread to other circuits: “For us, it’s a good thing, and I think China is a very similar example. They’ve added more gravel, and we were very happy with that work. So I think we’d be happy to see it on other circuits.”

“It makes things a bit more difficult because the risk is higher. But we have track limits everywhere we go, so there’s always a risk, even if it’s a bit different. On one hand, you end up in the gravel, which ruins your lap or your car, and on the other hand, you go a bit wide but also ruin your lap. It’s a different kind of risk.”

“Here, with some of the changes to the white line with the FIA, we don’t have to worry about whether we’re on or off the track. We know exactly if we’re inside or outside. And for us, that’s more satisfying and easier. So I think this change has been beneficial overnight.”

Gravel Returns to F1 Circuits Drivers Rejoice

Gravel Returns to F1 Circuits: Drivers Rejoice. Gravel Returns to F1 Circuits: Drivers Rejoice

Race Center
China Flag
Chinese GP
21 Mar 2025 - 23 Mar 2025
Free Practice 1
21 MAR 03:30 - 04:30
Sprint Qual
21 MAR 07:30 - 08:14
Sprint Race
22 MAR 03:00 - 04:00
Qualifying
22 MAR 07:00 - 08:00
Race
23 MAR 07:00 - 09:00

2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix - Race Results

Lando Norris
1
LANDO
NORRIS
57
Max Verstappen
2
MAX
VERSTAPPEN
+0.895s
George Russell
3
GEORGE
RUSSELL
+8.481s
Alex Albon
4
ALEX
ALBON
+12.773s
Kimi Antonelli
5
KIMI
ANTONELLI
+15.135s
Lance Stroll
6
LANCE
STROLL
+17.413s
Nico Hulkenberg
7
NICO
HULKENBERG
+18.423s
Charles Leclerc
8
CHARLES
LECLERC
+19.826s
Oscar Piastri
9
OSCAR
PIASTRI
+20.448s
Lewis Hamilton
10
LEWIS
HAMILTON
+22.473s
Pierre Gasly
11
PIERRE
GASLY
+26.502s
Yuki Tsunoda
12
YUKI
TSUNODA
+29.884s
Esteban Ocon
13
ESTEBAN
OCON
+33.161s
Oliver Bearman
14
OLIVER
BEARMAN
+40.351s
Liam Lawson
15
LIAM
LAWSON
47 DNF
Gabriel Bortoleto
16
GABRIEL
BORTOLETO
47 DNF
Fernando Alonso
17
FERNANDO
ALONSO
34 DNF
Carlos Sainz
18
CARLOS
SAINZ
0 DNF
Jack Doohan
19
JACK
DOOHAN
0 DNF
Isack Hadjar
20
ISACK
HADJAR
0 DNF
F1 CALENDAR 2025
Race
Date
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
United States Flag
United States
Miami
04 May

2025 FORMULA 1 DRIVERS' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Lando Norris
1
LANDO
NORRIS
25 Points
Max Verstappen
2
MAX
VERSTAPPEN
18
George Russell
3
GEORGE
RUSSELL
15
Alex Albon
4
ALEX
ALBON
12
Kimi Antonelli
5
KIMI
ANTONELLI
10
Lance Stroll
6
LANCE
STROLL
8
Nico Hulkenberg
7
NICO
HULKENBERG
6
Charles Leclerc
8
CHARLES
LECLERC
4
Oscar Piastri
9
OSCAR
PIASTRI
2
Lewis Hamilton
10
LEWIS
HAMILTON
1

2025 FORMULA 1 CONSTRUCTORS' WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

1
McLaren
27
2
Mercedes
25
3
Red Bull
18
4
Williams
12
5
Aston Martin
8
6
Sauber
6
7
Ferrari
5
8
Alpine F1
0
9
Haas F1
0
10
Racing Bulls
0
Go toTop