Verstappen doesn't enjoy circuits like COTA: 'Then you can't push'

Track Limits played a particularly negative role at the Qatar Grand Prix and many laps are expected to be deleted again for the United States Grand Prix. Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc gave their opinions.

Suzuka was a good example of how a track can determine where the track limits are. Not a sensor indicating that you are crossing a line, but a gravel trap that you end up in. In Qatar, things were a little different with the run-off areas, and ahead of the race at the Circuit of the Americas, the infamous track limits are once again a topic of conversation.

"I would happily let anyone else drive my car and see if they can do better on track limits," Verstappen answered sharply at the press conference. "We never really talk about track limits, for example in Suzuka. That's probably a bit more of an old-school track. It's a bit of a shame because I feel like with some of these new tracks, you're more focused on not going over a white line than actually finding the limit or just the pure enjoyment of pushing."

Leclerc endorses the Dutchman's opinion: "I think there are some tracks that are much more difficult to manage than others. I've always preferred in the past to use the red and white kerbs 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."

Whether it will be as bad in Texas as it was in Qatar remains to be seen. In Qatar, there were as many as 51 offences during the Grand Prix. Lance Stroll received a 10-second penalty, as did Alexander Albon. Sergio Perez also received several penalties, as did Pierre Gasly on several occasions off the track.