Formula 1

FIA dismiss gravel trap clamour from F1 drivers

Ian Parkes Sunday 20 September 2020 09:50

FIA dismiss gravel trap clamour from F1 drivers

FIA race director and safety delegate Michael Masi has dismissed the spate of calls from a number of Formula 1 drivers for all circuits to have gravel traps.

The likes of Ferrari duo Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc, along with McLaren's Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris have all recently remarked on the benefits of gravel over extensive run-off areas.

Over the course of the Belgian GP weekend, Sainz said the fear factor had been removed as gravel had been replaced by run-off areas at turns 10 and 13 at Spa-Francorchamps.

Norris, meanwhile, beached his car in the gravel during Friday practice for the Tuscan Grand Prix, and while he declared his "hate" of such traps, he also recognised they are far more challenging.

As for Vettel and Leclerc, both feel gravel rightly punishes a driver for making a mistake, with the four-time F1 champion suggesting a potential mix of gravel initially to catch the error, followed by run-off should a driver lose control.

While Masi recognises their remarks, he replied: "We can't have them everywhere.

"It's not a one-size-fits-all. As I've said multiple times, we need to come up with the appropriate solutions with each of the circuit owners and operators.

"We'll continue working through that. We've already discussed it with the drivers. So I think it's a bit much to ask. It's not the solution everywhere, let's put it that way."

Before you go...

1000th GP points gave Ferrari an "extra boost" in season of struggle

Latest News

GPFans Recap

Ricciardo given SHOCK F1 move verdict as 2025 grid re-shuffles - GPFans F1 Recap

Yesterday 23:42

F1 Social

F1 star forced into INCREDIBLE Christmas forfeit

Yesterday 22:55

Latest F1 News

Ricciardo F1 move framed in surprise career claim

Yesterday 21:57

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton signing prompts ASTONISHING Ferrari chief rant

Yesterday 20:57

F1 News & Gossip

Verstappen unveils F1 BREAK plans

Yesterday 19:57

Red Bull News

Red Bull awarded surprise victory in official F1 verdict

Yesterday 18:54

More news

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

FIA dismiss gravel trap clamour from F1 drivers

FIA dismiss gravel trap clamour from F1 drivers