Track limits debate flares up after qualifying at Monza

The question of track limits at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza was raised by a number of drivers after qualifying, with a number of cars going four-wheels wide off the circuit at various points, especially during the Qualifying 3 shootout.

Volvo’s Néstor Girolami aborted his own lap, knowing he’d cut the exit to the chicane, while the other two Volvos and Honda’s Tiago Monteiro were also all seen to go across the circuit’s white lines during their runs.

Münnich Motorsport Citroën driver Rob Huff, who qualified third, believed he’d made no such errors on his lap, and commented that his rivals laps didn’t match up with his understanding of the rules discussed in the drivers’ briefing.

“I was quite happy with my lap,” said Huff to TouringCarTimes. “I was definitely within the limits the whole time. I’ve seen a few replays and I think, not saying anything against anyone, both the guys next to me were quite close on the limits. We either enforce track limits or we don’t, it has to be black or white, and in the briefings about it, it’s quite clear.”

Tiago Monteiro, who qualified in second, believes the drivers’ briefing wasn’t so clear-cut.

“We (drivers) always say the lines are there, so it’s either we can cross it, or we can never cross it; but when you start saying this one you can, and this one you can’t, it becomes a mess,” said Monteiro to TouringCarTimes.

“At the briefing, we were told we can cross some lines, such as the one on the straight; but then they don’t mention the others? During qualifying, you see everyone cutting, so it’s not clear. As for my lap, I’m curious to see it as I don’t know where I’ve cut, and I’ve been doing this all weekend and nobody’s said anything.”

Pole-sitter Thed Björk’s Volvo also went wide at the Parabolica on his pole lap, but the Swede hopes that nothing will come of it.

“I was pushing like hell for this pole, and I think I was really on the limit, but I hope it’s OK,” he said.