“Aren't these the 20 best drivers in the world or what?”
No, given the strength and depth of talent in other motorsport categories. But, if you found yourself shrieking that or likewise into the internet or some other unfortunate place after Formula 1 qualifying at the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix, you’re the problem.
Not the rules and not the drivers.
Since the FIA changed the approach to the track limits rules at the start of 2022, the final two corners of the Red Bull Ring have been a flashpoint. Where the white line was always defined as the edge of the track in the regulations, inconsistency in rule application allowed was previously allowed to creep in over car positioning on kerbs. Now the situation is absolute.
In Austria last year, 16 drivers had times deleted in qualifying – up from eight across two Red Bull Ring qualifying sessions in 2021. In 2023, this rose up to 47. Yes, a big-year-on-year increase but kerb riding is a little different this season with the improved ride platforms the teams have been chasing in eliminating porpoising.
And that number is actually down from 165 laps being deleted in Friday's practice. By Q3, just three times were taken away.
After clinching pole, Max Verstappen claimed “it almost looked like we were amateurs out there” due to the number of laps getting lost, which chimed with social media and TV pundit outrage about the situation.
But both points miss the key one. One that Verstappen himself made in the post-qualifying press conference.
Source: Autosport