‘Circuits could learn track limit lessons from Suzuka’

Michelle Foster
'Circuits could learn track limit lessons from Suzuka'

'Circuits could learn track limit lessons from Suzuka'

Sergio Perez believes F1 circuits should take a few lessons from the Suzuka circuit on how to control track limits naturally.

Last month Formula 1 and its feeder series headed to the Sochi Autodrom where there was a huge crash in Formula 2 as drivers accelerated over the tarmac run-off.

The race was red flagged with Nobuharu Matsushita and Nikita Mazepin taken to hospital for precautionary checks.

The incident raised questions about track limits and drivers’ behaviour in the run-off areas.

“I just find that every year we tend to go into those arguments, unnecessary arguments [on track limits],” Perez told InsideRacing.

“You see the track layout that we have in Turn 2 [in Sochi], I would definitely expect a change for next year.

“What happened in F2, that kind of thing, it just looks silly. They have to make a change.

“Ultimately, I think the corner [Turn 2 in Sochi] is just wrong.

“There should be a natural penalty for people going off, whether it’s gravel or grass, whatever.

“I think it’s come to a point where we’ve got to make a change. As usual, it’s a never-ending story.”

The Mexican driver believes Formula 1 could learn a few lessons from the Suzuka circuit.

The Japanese track uses both both grass and gravel to police the limits with drivers wary of both.

“This is a great example of how tracks should be,” he added.

“If you go off anywhere, you pay a big price and I wish every track was the same with the run-off areas.

“It’s a safe circuit, but this is a circuit that you’ve got to respect.

“If you go off, it’s always going to be a big shunt. I think as a driver you like this kind of circuit. It’s also a great energetic place.”

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