The international governing body recently adjusted the prescribed level from €250,000 to €1 million, citing the need to better align with the “current needs of motorsport.”

GPDA director George Russell was among the first to express his concerns about this decision. 

He labeled the new fine limit as “ridiculous” and “obscene,” openly questioning its rationale.

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Russell also called for transparency from the FIA, urging them to reveal how the proceeds from these fines are allocated.

Russell’s sentiments found resonance with his fellow F1 colleagues, who joined the chorus of skepticism. 

Toto Wolff emphasised that the FIA’s actions send the wrong message to fans, especially in a time marked by widespread economic hardship. 

He remarked, “There needs to be some deterrent for grave infringements of the regulations, but none of that was on the radar of anyone that it would be coming.”

Wolff also cast doubt on the necessity of such exorbitant fines. “A million, we need to do a reality check with real life, whether that is an adequate fine or not,” he stated. 

“I don’t think we’ve ever fined a driver 250k, so raising the ceiling is something that one needs to understand where it comes from.”

The Mercedes boss further emphasised the potential adverse perception of Formula 1, stating, “I don’t think we want to portray Formula 1 out there in a world where it’s tough enough to give drivers fines of a million, I think half of the grid wouldn’t be able to pay them.”

Aston Martin’s team principal, Mike Krack, echoed Wolff’s sentiments, underscoring the importance of grounding the sport in reality. “Let’s keep our feet on the ground to be throwing with such numbers,” he commented. 

Krack pointed out that fans already invest significantly in attending races, and the dramatic increase in fines may not align with their expectations.

Lewis Hamilton, a prominent figure in the world of F1, shared Russell’s concerns about transparency. 

READ: Liverpool star reveals unlikely friendship with Max Verstappen

He urged the FIA to provide clarity regarding the allocation of fine proceeds. 

Haas boss Guenther Steiner also voiced the idea of contributing fines to charitable causes, involving the drivers in the decision. 

“I would suggest, you know, if somebody has to pay these high fines, at least he should be involved in saying where it is going – to a charity which he likes,” Steiner suggested.

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The debate surrounding track limits came to the forefront after a contentious weekend in Qatar, which witnessed a recurrence of incidents akin to those witnessed in Austria earlier in the season.

Ben Sulayem expressed his concerns, saying, “We had the same issue in Austria… it was 1200 (violations). 

“And I have to say, congratulations to the stewards because they spotted it. 

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“But is that the solution? No.”

He continued, “The solution is to improve the track itself. I know some are resistant to it, but to tell you the truth, if they don’t, there is no race. 

“It is as simple as this. 

“We can’t afford this. 

“We have to work on a solution. 

“One of the solutions is to make it slippery when they go off. 

“Nobody can stop the drivers except the drivers themselves.”

Ben Sulayem suggested exploring options like adjusting the height of the kerbs or introducing gravel traps, but he emphasised the importance of striking a balance to ensure driver safety and prevent cars from getting stuck or damaged.

“It’s not a matter of ‘Do we do it?'” he warned. “We have to do it. 

“And we have to listen to the drivers mainly, to the feedback from them. 

“We cannot afford for it to continue, especially where we see it all the time.”

As the weekend at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) got underway, Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, expressed his willingness to provide feedback on the issue. 

He remarked, “I will happily let anyone else drive my car, to see if they can do better with track limits.”

Verstappen acknowledged that track design played a role in the track limits debate. 

He noted that newer tracks with extensive runoff areas made it more challenging for drivers to ascertain their limits. 

He said, “Some tracks, yeah, just a lot of runoff, so naturally you are a bit… you find probably the limits a bit easier because we never really talk about track limits, for example, in Suzuka, and that’s probably a bit more of an old-school track.”

The world champion emphasised that contemporary track standards had shifted the focus from the enjoyment of pushing the limits to the technicalities of avoiding track limit violations.

He expressed his desire for improvements, saying, “It’s more like you’re looking at: ‘did I make it or not?’ Oh, yeah, I made it. It’s a bit odd. 

“We need to do a better job because I think this weekend will be the same story.”

Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver, echoed similar sentiments. 

He highlighted the challenges posed by different tracks in managing track limits and offered insights into the reference points drivers use.

READ: Red Bull’s key 2024 challenger emerges

Leclerc explained, “I’ve always preferred, in the past, to use the red and white kerb because this is a reference that we can actually feel inside the car, whereas the white line… 

“we are so low in the car that it’s very difficult to see exactly where we are. 

“If we are two centimetres out or exactly on the line is very difficult, whereas with the kerb, you can feel it much more what’s going on and it’s a better reference.”

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Verstappen has continued to display impressive form on the track this season and has already secured the 2023 F1 World Championship, adding to his titles from 2021 and 2022.

Ben Sulayem emphasised that penalising a driver or team for their dominance would be neither fair nor right, drawing comparisons to previous dominant eras in Formula 1. 

He stated, “It (F1 domination) has happened so many times – just look at [Lewis] Hamilton and [Michael] Schumacher. It’s a bit harsh and not right to punish success.”

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While acknowledging the current dominance of Max Verstappen and Red Bull, Ben Sulayem expressed his openness to suggestions for ensuring fairness and democracy in the sport without penalising successful teams or drivers. 

He made it clear that the FIA has no plans to penalise success, even if it results in one driver’s dominance, as it has happened twice before during his tenure.

Verstappen clinched his first world title in dramatic fashion in 2022, narrowly edging out Lewis Hamilton in the final race of the season. 

His second title in 2023, however, came with a display of sheer dominance as he won 15 out of the 22 Grands Prix. 

In most races, Verstappen has proven to be unbeatable, crossing the chequered flag in first position in 14 of the 17 races.

This recent period of dominance for Verstappen and Red Bull coincided with regulatory changes at the end of the 2021 season, requiring teams to redesign their cars. 

The Red Bull engineering team has excelled in this environment, delivering a vehicle that provides Verstappen and his teammate, Sergio Perez, with a competitive edge over their rivals. 

Despite the absence of further rule tweaks, Verstappen’s dominance shows no signs of wavering.

Max Verstappen clinched the 2023 F1 World Championship earlier this month after securing second place in the Qatar Sprint race, the day before the Grand Prix. 

This unique situation allowed Verstappen to celebrate a championship win before the main event of the weekend had even taken place.

Reflecting on his third consecutive championship, Verstappen expressed his satisfaction with this year’s performance, deeming it the best year of his career. 

He explained, “The first one was the most emotional – that’s when your dreams are fulfilled. This has been my best year. 

“Sometimes I am not happy with the performance or how the weekend was going, but I always try to be perfect. 

READ: Nico Rosberg blasts Lewis Hamilton’s ‘miscalculation’

“I always try to be better every race weekend I go to. 

“I analyse my performance race after race, and the same this year. 

“That’s why I think this year performance-wise is definitely the best one.”

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Wolff, whose absence fueled rumors of driver tension between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, shared insights into his recovery, the team’s performance, and the speculated rift between his star drivers.

During Wolff’s absence, it was observed that tensions flared between Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at both events. 

In Suzuka, the two came perilously close to a collision while battling for positions, followed by heated radio exchanges late in the race regarding team orders. 

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The drama continued at the Losail Grand Prix when the pair collided at the first turn, raising questions about the team’s dynamics.

Wolff, however, dismissed any notions that his absence had contributed to the driver troubles. “I don’t think so,” he said when questioned about it. 

“We’ve laughed about that, too, in the team. But I don’t think it has an effect.” 

He further explained, “I think we are racing more in the front now, and I think we have a sniff on how it is looking like to have no car in front of you, with the McLarens and with Max [Verstappen] there. 

“So, yeah, in any case, we’ll never find out. I’m back.”

Acknowledging the challenges faced by the team in his absence, Wolff stated, “There were some, let’s say, unpleasant situations that we have talked about, and lots of points that we left on the table – but there is nobody more aware than the drivers.” 

He emphasised the competitive nature of racing drivers, highlighting that their first competitor is their own teammate.

Wolff’s absence was not as distant as it might seem, as he detailed his efforts to stay engaged. “I was completely plugged in,” he said. 

“I have a centre console set up at home, so I was part of every briefing, debriefing, and the conversations during the race.” 

Nevertheless, he acknowledged the limitations of remote involvement, saying, “You’ve got to let the guys here fly the airplane. 

READ: Lawrence Stroll rushes to his son’s defence

“When you’re remote, I always take myself back a little bit because you’re distant. 

“You don’t look into the faces. You don’t see what’s going on emotionally with the people around you and you feel in a certain way detached.

“So, it’s not something that I enjoy. But it was a necessity.”

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Sainz was in the midst of a blistering hot lap, navigating the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) esses, while Norris was diligently working to bring his McLaren’s tires to the optimal temperature. 

The thrilling encounter reached a climactic point as the two Formula 1 stars shared the same piece of tarmac, prompting Sainz to make a hasty decision to avoid disaster.

“Oh my God, whoa,” exclaimed Sainz, capturing the gravity of the situation. 

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He continued, “Lando there. I think he didn’t see me, but we nearly crashed.”

The incident was a heart-pounding reminder of the exhilaration and precision demanded by the high-speed world of Formula 1. 

While heated radio exchanges between drivers and their teams are not uncommon, Sainz’s visceral reaction highlighted the intensity of the moment.

Sainz’s journey to the Austin Grand Prix has been marred by setbacks, including his absence from the Qatar Grand Prix due to a significant fuel leak in his Ferrari. 

Speaking to reporters in Austin, he expressed his determination to rebound from this challenging period.

“I’ve been trying to ‘recover’ from Qatar, not so much physically, because I didn’t race, but mentally from not being able to take part in that race,” Sainz explained. 

“Which, in hindsight, actually, if there was a race to miss, it was probably Qatar. Looking back, it looked like a good one to maybe skip. 

“But now in Austin, I’m ready to focus on what matters, at least trying to get hopefully back on the podium this weekend.”

Ferrari’s resolve to address their recent technical woes was evident, with Sainz sharing insights into their efforts to overcome issues that have plagued them. 

He noted, “We’ve changed a lot of parts in the car to try to obviously correct the issue that affected us in Qatar. 

“We are trying also to find solutions in the long-term, not only in the short-term because it’s definitely something that we are not happy [about], and we’ve also had issues in the past.”

The recurring fuel tank problem has caused a fair share of headaches for the team, but Sainz remained optimistic about the upcoming race. 

“So, it’s a bit of a headache that is giving us this fuel tank [problem] now and then. 

“But we will try and put it back together this weekend, and, hopefully, there shouldn’t be any issues anytime soon.”

The Constructors’ Championship race has been hotly contested, with Ferrari holding a 79-point lead over McLaren. However, McLaren has been making significant strides in recent races, narrowing the gap. 

READ: Nico Rosberg sends George Russell message which will alarm Lewis Hamilton

Sainz believes his team can stay ahead as long as they steer clear of further reliability issues.

“[That] doesn’t mean that they are not going to beat us. 

“I think they’re going to beat us in most of the races from here to the end of the season if all things align because they do have a very quick car nowadays and they look to be the only ones that can sometimes bother Red Bull, and in a track like Singapore, where maybe it’s more us [who were quicker],” Sainz commented, setting the stage for a fierce battle in the races to come.

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Wolff, who had been recuperating from surgery, returned to the paddock for the first time in a month during the current race weekend.

In his absence, the Mercedes team experienced tumultuous moments on the track. 

At the last race, the team’s cars collided at the first corner, leading to Lewis Hamilton’s immediate retirement, while George Russell, who had started second, concluded the race in fourth place. 

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The Japanese Grand Prix also witnessed a close encounter between the two Mercedes drivers, with Russell accusing Hamilton of pushing him wide and later being instructed to let Hamilton pass.

Wolff addressed the perceived link between his absence and the on-track incidents. 

He asserted, “We’ve laughed about that too, in the team, but I don’t think it has an effect.”

Wolff suggested that the incidents might be a result of the team’s drivers frequently racing in close proximity at the front of the field. 

“I think we are racing more in the front now,” he observed. 

“I think we have a sniff on how it is looking like, to have no car in front of you, with the McLarens and with Max there.”

He concluded with a touch of humor, “In any case, we’ll never find out. I’m back!”

The aftermath of the costly collision between Mercedes’ drivers in Qatar has been a subject of concern for the team. Wolff acknowledged, “There were some, let’s say, unpleasant situations that we have talked about. 

“And lots of points that we left on the table.”

Wolff recognised that such incidents serve as opportunities to recalibrate and recondition the drivers, helping them avoid similar situations in the future. 

He acknowledged the inherent competitiveness of racing drivers, stating, “But they’re racing drivers, they compete hard. 

“Your first competitor is your teammate. I see it with a relative relaxed terms.”

During his recent absence, Wolff remained closely connected with the team’s operations, albeit from a distance. 

He recounted his involvement, stating, “I was completely plugged in, I have a pit wall centre console set up at home. 

“So I was part of every briefing or debriefing and the conversations during the race.”

However, he also admitted that remote management required him to take a step back, acknowledging the limitations of not being physically present. 

READ: Sergio Perez breaks silence on 2024 axe rumours

“But obviously, you’ve got to let the guys here fly the aeroplane because when you’re remote, I need to almost always take myself back a little bit because you’re distant, you don’t look into the faces, you don’t see what’s going on emotionally with the people around you. 

“And you feel in a certain way detached. 

“So it’s not something that I enjoy, but it was a necessity.”

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Despite a challenging start to the season that saw them trailing Ferrari and Aston Martin, Mercedes has made significant strides, largely thanks to a strategic shift in car design.

The initial rounds of the 2023 season were less than ideal for Mercedes, as they found themselves falling behind their competitors, Ferrari and Aston Martin. 

However, the turning point came in Monaco when the team decided to abandon their zero sidepod design, leading to a more competitive edge and enabling them to consistently challenge for podium positions. 

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As a result, they have now leapfrogged Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship, holding a comfortable 28-point lead as they approach the final five races of the season.

Russell and Hamilton acknowledge that while Mercedes’ performance might seem uncertain on most race weekends, it often transforms overnight as they fine-tune their setup. 

Friday’s promise doesn’t always translate to success on race day, with Hamilton experiencing two Q2 exits and Russell missing out on Q3 on four occasions this year.

When questioned about their perception of this trend, Russell explained, “It’s just learning and experience. 

“I think we found ourselves off the pace at the start of this year, a long way behind where we wanted to be. 

“We were trying many different things with the car.

“Now, probably these last five races, the set-up of the car has been relatively much the same every race we go to. 

“We know what the car needs to maximise its performance. 

“I think that helps the consistency we build upon it. 

“That’s also given us a good direction into next year, so I think that’s a big factor of it.”

This adaptability reflects Mercedes’ commitment to fine-tuning their car’s setup, ensuring that they can deliver consistent performance throughout the season. 

READ: Lewis Hamilton warns his fans

It’s not unusual for Formula 1 teams to experiment with setup direction during practice sessions, and Ferrari, for instance, has devoted time after the summer break to comprehending their car’s setup.

Hamilton, sharing his perspective, stated, “[I have] nothing more to add to that [which George said] to be honest.” 

His concise response underlines the team’s collective focus on refining their strategy and maintaining their competitive edge, demonstrating their confidence in the road ahead.

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Coronel’s comments come in response to the controversial fine imposed on Lewis Hamilton after he walked across a live track during the Qatar Grand Prix, reigniting the debate over FIA’s regulatory reach.

The incident in question unfolded after Lewis Hamilton’s car found itself stranded in the gravel following an opening-lap collision with his team-mate, George Russell. 

In response to the incident, the Safety Car was deployed to slow down the other cars on the track. 

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Moments before the race cars came through, Hamilton left his car and made his way to the pits by walking across the live track.

Hamilton subsequently expressed his apologies to race stewards for breaching regulations regarding crossing a live track. 

In consequence, he was slapped with a substantial fine of £43,350, with half of the penalty being suspended. 

However, the FIA’s decision to revisit the incident and investigate further, considering Hamilton’s status as a “role model,” has raised eyebrows within the motorsport community.

The move by the FIA has been described as unprecedented, particularly given that Max Verstappen and Logan Sargeant managed to avoid a second investigation despite being involved in separate incidents of a similar nature. 

This selective reexamination has ignited controversy and prompted Tom Coronel to express his frustration with the regulatory landscape in Formula 1.

“The FIA has to make a puddle over everything,” Coronel stated on the Racing365 podcast. 

“It seems as if the FIA is racing and no longer the racing drivers. I see that with a lot of things. 

“Everything has to be looked at, and we have to discuss it again in a main meeting. After that, we think it’s cool to hand out fines.”

Coronel vehemently questioned the rationale behind penalising Hamilton in this particular scenario. He emphasised, “How on earth can you fine Hamilton for this? 

“We’ve gone completely crazy. I’m not a three-year-old child, am I? I can just cross the road, right? I’m an adult guy.”

In Coronel’s view, the proliferation of rules has become excessive and overwhelming for the racing community. 

He decried the deluge of regulations, lamenting, “There are too many rules. We are completely bombarded with rules. It’s terrible.”

READ: FIA blasted for singling out Lewis Hamilton

Coronel also alluded to the contentious issue of track limits, suggesting that the handling of such cases was equally perplexing. “The track limits case is also something strange. 

“I just agree. 

“I think there were 200 FIA people present in Qatar. 

“It made no sense at all, people everywhere in white shirts with FIA on it.”

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Stroll, the Canadian driver for Aston Martin, found himself in a precarious situation as he was eliminated in Q1. 

This unexpected setback, after a series of challenging race weekends, proved to be the breaking point for the young racer.

As emotions ran high, Stroll, while storming out of the team’s garage, seemed to vent his frustration by shoving his trainer, Henry Howe, who was trying to guide him towards the mandatory weighing process.

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The International Automobile Federation (FIA) swiftly took action, with their Compliance Officer investigating the incident. 

Subsequently, Stroll received a written warning, with the FIA’s statement emphasising that it aimed to remind the driver of his responsibilities as a competitor, bound by the FIA Code of Ethics. 

The FIA’s statement made it clear that they uphold a zero-tolerance policy against misconduct and strongly condemn any actions that could lead to physical harassment.

Stroll’s outburst came amid a string of disappointing races, extending his streak of scoreless grand prix weekends to five. 

This dismal performance only magnified the gap between him and his teammate, Fernando Alonso, which now stands at a staggering 136 points.

The incident involving Stroll’s actions has sparked significant debate among fans and observers. 

However, Aston Martin’s team principal, Mr. Krack, has expressed that the team is not as troubled by the incident as external parties might be. 

Mr. Krack explained, “You accumulate delivering below your own expectations, and then the theme of frustration comes on at one point. 

“You take a football player off the pitch, and he doesn’t do high fives to the manager; he throws the jersey or throws the water bottles, we have seen that quite a lot.”

Mr. Krack further elaborated, “I think emotions are what we want from sportsmen, and then if they react, we judge them quickly. 

“We need to be careful with that. I think it goes one step too far when you have 10 people sitting on the sofa or in an air-conditioned room saying, ‘this is too much or you cannot do that.’ 

“I think we need to have a bit more respect for the drivers and for elite sportsmen, I would say. 

READ: Red Bull to fire Helmut Marko before Sergio Perez

“It’s easy from the outside. I think we judge too quickly.”

The incident involving Stroll inevitably drew comparisons to Max Verstappen’s 2018 altercation with Esteban Ocon during the Brazilian Grand Prix. 

However, it’s worth noting that Verstappen’s incident involved violent behaviour towards a competitor, while Stroll’s episode was an inter-team altercation.

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Sargeant’s performance in his first season has drawn attention to the necessity of sufficient testing and preparation for rookie drivers.

James Vowles, the head of the Williams team, acknowledges that Sargeant’s struggle during his debut season can partly be attributed to the limited testing mileage he was afforded. 

Vowles stated, “We’ve put him there, and we’ve given him nearly no testing mileage. I’m used to 30,000km, not 850.” 

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Logan Sargeant is in alignment with Vowles’ analysis, emphasising the importance of adequate preparation for newcomers to the sport. 

Many pundits and insiders in the Formula 1 community now concur that Williams is likely to extend Sargeant’s tenure to provide him with the necessary experience.

Sargeant expressed his views on the matter, noting, “The ideal would be to have more kilometres as it’s the best way to prepare.” 

He highlighted that in the past, legendary drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso had the advantage of extensive testing opportunities in Formula 1. 

However, the current landscape presents a different scenario, with limited testing time available to drivers.

The American driver acknowledged the significance of testing opportunities with modern Formula 1 cars. 

He stated, “Now, whenever you test, it’s with a previous-generation car, and that makes a difference. 

“But even if I had had more days in the winter with any car, it would have been better.”

Despite the challenges he has faced during his debut season, Sargeant remains confident in the support of his team. 

Williams has chosen to delay the decision on Sargeant’s contract extension until after the 2023 season, underscoring their commitment to his development.

Sargeant expressed his gratitude for the team’s support, saying, “They know what happens behind the scenes, and they want me to be successful. 

“The team supports me, so I don’t care what the rest say.” 

READ: Lewis Hamilton speaks out on Toto Wolff’s absence

He recognises that experience is a valuable asset in Formula 1 but also believes in his ability to adapt and improve.

The young American driver is determined to learn from his experiences and eliminate the minor mistakes that have characterised his debut season. 

He added, “Experience always helps, but I have people to talk to as I try to adjust the way I approach each situation to put an end to the small mistakes I’m making.”

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