Yuki Tsunoda has defended Formula 1‘s track limits rules but has encouraged more leniency after track limits controversy during several events prior to the summer break.
Track limit breaches overshadowed the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix after 83 lap times were deleted during the race, causing the final result to be reshuffled after further post-race penalties.
Tsunoda was one of the biggest offenders in Austria, picking up nine warnings for track limits breaches, earning him 20 seconds, worth of penalties which put him 19th in the final classification.
“First of all, rules are rules,” said Tsunoda exclusively to Total-Motorsport.com when asked about the issue of track limits. “I shouldn’t have exceeded the white line three times in Austria, which is my problem.
“I should have kept it within the white line, but at the same time, it’s true that it was difficult. I think they should add [more warnings on] a track like the Red Bull Ring.
“Some tracks are easy to follow within the white line, but with Austria and Silverstone, [at] those tracks it’s quite easy to go over the white line.
“They should change a bit of rule that maybe going over the kerb and putting the front wheels over the white line gets a penalty.”
Bayer brings passion and desire to AlphaTauri
So far, 2023 has been a tumultuous season for AlphaTauri, with long-time team principal Franz Tost announcing his intention to step down at the end of the year amidst rumours the team would be sold.
Nyck de Vries was dismissed from the team following July’s British GP after a string of poor performances, which led to former Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo replacing him from the Hungarian GP onwards.
A new management team of Ferrari technical director Laurent Mekies and former FIA secretary general Peter Bayer are set to take over in 2024.
“Peter was at the track in Austria, so we speak quite a lot,” said Tsunoda. He’s a nice guy, and I can feel the passion from him that he wants to make the team better.
“I can feel the excitement from him, so that helps morale. Laurent, I [haven’t properly spoken to] yet.
“We said hi a couple of times but we’ve not properly spoken to each other yet, but soon we’ll speak in person, so hopefully we can have a good discussion then.”
Where is the next F1 2023 race?
F1 will return from its summer break with the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix from Zandvoort on August 25-27, where championship leader Max Verstappen will be racing on home soil.
