In the three rounds of free practice and in the qualifying of Imola Grand Prix 2024 we have seen several mistakes made by pilots with some experience. Some without consequences (Verstappen, Hamilton, Sainz), others with negative epilogues like those of Fernando Alonso and Sergio Perez.
The presence of gravel in some corners certainly affected the dynamics of the exits, but none of the protagonists complained about the novelty. Indeed, it seems that i drivers they said they were enthusiastic about the return to the past after Formula 1 had perhaps abused asphalt escape routes a little too much.
In the past, drivers had complained about curbs close to the ground and escape routes made of concrete and derivatives which exacerbated the already problematic management of the limits of the track. Remember the sensational cases of the Red Bull Ring and COTA.
![Ferrari](https://www.formulacritica.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ferrari-6-750x375.webp)
Imola GP: drivers beaming for the work done with curbs and escape routes
Lando Norris appeared very satisfied with the solutions adopted in Imola where the white demarcation lines were also widened, which limited the phenomenon of times being cancelled. “I feel like we're going back to how it was six – seven years ago“, explained the winner of the Miami Grand Prix.
“I don't know why they made the escape routes out of asphalt. They said it was impossible to go back. Instead now we are going back to how it was before”. Speaking about the widening of the track demarcation lines, the Bristol driver observed the following: “It's not nice when you try to drive and try to look where the white line is in relation to your tire and guess”.
Max Verstappen agrees with his colleague-friend: “It's great: you know you get punished if you go wide. There is no need to look whether the tire is on the white line or not“.
Imola is not the only track on which gravel has appeared again. The gravel was also laid at the last corner of the Shanghai International Circuit with positive effects. Oscar Piastri, one of the youngest drivers on the grid, spoke of improving changes despite the increased risk of damaging the car.
![Imola GP 2024](https://www.formulacritica.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Piastri-750x375.webp)
“For us it's a welcome thing and I think China has been a good example. They added more gravel and we were very pleased with that job. So we would welcome it on other tracks too. It makes things a little more difficult. There's always risk, even if it's a little different. One is that you end up in the gravel and completely ruins the ride or the car, the other is that you go a little wide but ruins your ride”.
In short, Formula One seems to have finally squared the circle. The asphalt dogma has finally been overthrown and common sense has taken over among decision makers. A hoped-for trend reversal that is finally coming to fruition.
Crediti foto: F1