Helmut Marko’s solution to the problem of “ dark ” runway limits



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Dr Helmut Marko described the issue of track limits during the Bahrain Grand Prix as “a matter of shade” which could be avoided by putting “a wall” at the fourth corner.

The result of the 2021 season opener was decided by Max Verstappen’s illegal overtaking for the lead on lap 53 of 56, when he overstepped the track limits on the fourth turn and had to give back the spot. to future winner Sir Lewis Hamilton.

While it was generally believed that the end result was the right one and that the Red Bull driver did the right thing by giving in to rival Mercedes, it was also true that Hamilton had largely passed the same turn on several occasions during the race. race.

This meant that a gray area emerged in terms of what was, or was not, acceptable in terms of meeting circuit boundaries.

On reflection, Red Bull adviser Marko felt that his team may have been too circumspect in following the rules throughout the race compared to Mercedes – and that there is a workable solution to this problem at the future.

“When you look at everything, you have to wrap up Hamilton and [Valtteri] Bottas was at least five or six times [more] with four wheels outside the white lines in this famous four turn. It’s because Mercedes asked them to push two tenths per lap, ”Marko told Motorsport.com.

“We have interpreted this directive a little too strictly. But at one point we asked the race management “is this allowed and can we do it too?” The answer was “no, actually not”.

“Overall it was a bit of a dark affair. Sanctions have not been imposed, while time has undoubtedly been saved. “

Helmut Marko

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Marko felt Hamilton had been smart in the way he took over the lead when it was given back to him.

“Hamilton is very sophisticated on these things,” said the 77-year-old Austrian. “He waited a relatively long time to catch up with Max again. This allowed his tires to cool for a while and he took advantage of it for the rest of the race.

“Max had a little slide on turn 13 and picked up dirt on his tires. The race was over with that.

And how to avoid a repetition in the future? In theory, it’s easy, according to Marko.

“It’s completely unnecessary,” he said. “There is more than enough space there. If we just put a wall there, it will be solved. Anyone hitting the wall would damage their own car.

“I don’t understand why we have so many runoff areas on the tracks and why we don’t create clear boundaries.”

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