Max Verstappen "FIA treats F1 drivers as amateurs"[F1-Gate.com]

Reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen has criticized the FIA’s handling of drivers and track limits.

This year, the FIA has been very strict on track limits, removing lap times when a driver crosses the white line.

But Max Verstappen said at the drivers’ briefing on Friday of the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix that there had been discrepancies about what was considered the edge of the track at certain parts of the Hungaroring.

Max Verstappen said he felt his drivers were being treated like ‘amateurs’ throughout the race weekend.

“Drivers said last year that we need to be more clear and strict about what we are looking for in terms of track limits,” Verstappen said.

“Last night, for example, they started talking about turn 13, the dotted line on the track.

“Outside of that is the curb and the white line, which I personally think is the edge of the track.”

“There’s a lot of silly details like that that make it very difficult to police them.”

“As drivers, we always want to give advice, but nothing is being listened to. For me, it’s very frustrating.”

“I don’t want to fight them, I want to give them advice, but they don’t seem to care.”

“I feel like they’re looking at us like amateurs. I don’t think that’s right.”

Max Verstappen reiterated his view that having gravel traps at the edges of the circuit would eliminate the need for enforcement as drivers running wide would not gain time.

“Most of the time when you look at the on-board camera it looks like the angle is off because the camera is on the other side, but it’s not,” said Verstappen.

“So it’s very difficult and I think adding a little more gravel on the exit will work in our favor and make it easier.”

“In Austria, for example, why would you need track limits at Turns 4 and 6? You have gravel, you lose money if you go wide, you damage the floor and the car slows down.”

“So they are making themselves very difficult. Of course people say they just have to stay within the white range, but it’s easier said than done.”

“Everything is so confusing, including what I said about the dotted line.”