Austrian Grand Prix Finally Adds Gravel After FIA Gets Permission From Moto GP

After the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix, fans were distracted from the race and more focused on the penalties drivers were receiving for track limits. During the race, there were over 1200 instances of track limits by the Formula 1 drivers. Now the organizers have decided to add gravel at turns 9 and 10.

Before the start of the Grand Prix, Formula 1 extended its contract with the Red Bull ring to host the Austrian Grand Prix until the 2030 season. But after the race, the FIA found an issue with track limits in turn 10.

? BREAKING:

F1 contract extension for the Austrian GP through to the end of 2027 ?️ pic.twitter.com/fdA1kwjSlO

— Autosport (@autosport) March 15, 2023

Before the start of the race weekend in Austria, the FIA foresaw this issue and recommended that the organizers at the Red Bull Ring place a gravel trap in the concerned area. This would not require the Stewarts to give penalties for exceeding the track limits at the corner. But the organizers failed to do so. However, now they have decided to make the change.

How will adding gravel solve the issue of track limits?

The reason Formula 1 tracks use gravel is to slow down the car before it impacts the wall. It is a safety measure taken by the FIA to make sure the drivers don’t have very heavy impacts while sliding off to the wall. 

Safety has been a very important aspect of the FIA. After the accident of Jules Bianchi and now Dilano Van’ t Hoff, the FIA is basically on a neverending mission to improve safety in Formula 1. 

? | The Red Bull Ring will be fitted with new gravel traps om the outside of T9 and T10 to avoid any more track limits drama like last weekend at Austria

[@tgruener]#F1 pic.twitter.com/Lg2hMuujpC

— RBR Daily (@RBR_Daily) July 6, 2023

Adding the gravel at the entry and exit of turn 10 would force the drivers to be more cautious while approaching the corner. If by any chance, the driver does exceed the track limit with gravel present, the gravel would slow down the car by costing over 2 seconds per lap, so the Stewarts will not have to give a penalty.

The Red Bull Ring also hosts races for Moto GP. This is one of the reasons why the organizers did not make any changes before the race. While the FIA wanted the gravel, it had to be signed off by Moto GP as well. Over the years, Moto GP has grown as well. 

On July 6, 2023, it was announced that the gravel will be placed on the outside of turns 9 and 10. Before confirming the changes, the FIA confirmed the changes with Moto GP. 

According to the new 2024 Formula 1 calendar, the Austrian Grand Prix will take place on June 30. Pretty much the same time as it was held this year. In a year we will know how well the gravel works, and how the drivers react to it.