Re. the Pit Lane “white line” in the tunnel exit to the pits.

 

 

Looking at the highlights it was noticeable that most drivers when leaving the pits tended to cut the second (right-handed) corner as they were coming out from the tunnel.  This had a “white line” and red and white diagonal stripes “run-off” rather than the more normal green.

 

Is that not an automatic penalty, or don’t those rules apply in the tunnel section ?

 

Also, what were the post-race thoughts on the tunnel, is it acceptable, or are the drivers complaining ?

 

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They missed a great opportunity.There should be a barrier at the end of the tunnel that raises when the driver throws a dollar coin into a toll machine.

jim kowalski:

They missed a great opportunity.There should be a barrier at the end of the tunnel that raises when the driver throws a dollar coin into a toll machine.

 

agr:

 

Re. the Pit Lane “white line” in the tunnel exit to the pits.

 

 

Looking at the highlights it was noticeable that most drivers when leaving the pits tended to cut the second (right-handed) corner as they were coming out from the tunnel.  This had a “white line” and red and white diagonal stripes “run-off” rather than the more normal green.

 

Is that not an automatic penalty, or don’t those rules apply in the tunnel section ?

 

Also, what were the post-race thoughts on the tunnel, is it acceptable, or are the drivers complaining ?

 

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Hi

 

The white line rule refers to the line, dividing the pit exit from the race track, and as you say should not be crossed.

 

Most pit lanes have a white line painted against the pit wall and either side of the pit exit, one of which becomes the white line.

 

Drivers can place a wheel on a white line within the pit lane (If they really want to get that close to a wall)

 

The offence is entering the race track before reaching the entry point (the end of the white line) and if you are still in the tunnel, you are obviously not entering the track.

 

As for thoughts on the tunnel, if you look at the picture, it is actually a lot wider than if first looks.

 

The distance between the lines is the regulation width, but if you look at the hatchings on the right hand side and the small area of tarmac to the right of that, you will see that there would be room to park a car against the right hand wall and leave the exit clear.

 

So if the drive cooperated and crashed his car neatly against the wall, it would be ok, but if he decided to spin it backwards into the wall, the end of race.

 

It is a nice spectacle, but I can’t help but think it is an accident waiting to happen, and I think most drivers would not be un-happy to see it changed.

 

Regards

 

Racer111 (Fozzie)

 

Crossing the line where the pit merges with the track usually ends in a penalty. Prior to that the lines should define the track and provided two wheels stay within the lines they should be okay. But there again it seems to depend on which driver or car is involved as the rules are often ignored or tweaked to suit the circumstances.

I looked at the F1 reacing regs and couldn't see anything about crossing the white line, just about how the pit lane had a fast and slow lane.

Is it covered in more generic FIA regs ?

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agr:

I looked at the F1 reacing regs and couldn't see anything about crossing the white line, just about how the pit lane had a fast and slow lane.

Is it covered in more generic FIA regs ?

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Appendix L to the International Sporting Code, Chapter IV, Article 4.d):

Except in cases of force majeure (accepted as such by the Stewards of the Meeting), the crossing, in any direction, of the line separating the pit entry and the track is prohibited.

Thanks