Beginner · 3 min read

What are track limits in F1 and when are they penalised?

Q: What usually happens on a first track-limits breach?

A warning. The usual outcome is a warning; repeats go to the stewards.

Q: When is a car considered to have left the track?

With all four wheels outside the white line. It is talked about as an excursion with all four wheels over the white line.

Q: What can happen to a qualifying lap outside the limits?

It can be deleted. According to one guide, the lap can be deleted.

White lines mark the edge of the track. Going off is not always punished: what happens with the first warning, repeats and deleted laps.

In 30 seconds

Track limits are the white lines at the edge of the track.
An isolated excursion is not an automatic penalty: the usual outcome of a first breach with all four wheels outside the line is a warning.
If it is repeated, the stewards can penalise; in qualifying, the lap can be deleted.

Step by step

The white line
According to one guide, the white line is part of the track and the kerbs are not. For it to count as leaving the track, all four wheels have to be outside the line.
The first time, a warning
The most common outcome is that the first track-limits breach (with all four wheels outside) is settled with a warning.
If it is repeated
Three more breaches of the same kind lead to a referral to the stewards, who can penalise.
Advantage counts
An isolated excursion does not automatically lead to a penalty: the stewards weigh the circumstances and whether the driver gained an advantage, so two similar moves can have different outcomes.
In qualifying
A lap set outside the track limits can be deleted, which is why you hear so many "lap deleted" calls.

With real Formuradar data

Track limits this season

How many laps have been deleted for going off track in the current season, how many black-and-white warnings and how many time penalties, with the most affected drivers.

Track limits over the season (standings) →

Test yourself

Did you get it?

Question 1 of 3What usually happens on a first track-limits breach?

Question 2 of 3When is a car considered to have left the track?

Question 3 of 3What can happen to a qualifying lap outside the limits?

Glossary for this page

Track limits: The white lines that mark the edge of the track. Putting all four wheels outside them can cost a warning, or a penalty if repeated or if an advantage is gained.

See the full glossary →

Sources

The first track-limits breach (all four wheels over the white line) is usually settled with a warning; three more breaches of the same kind mean a referral to the stewards, who can penalise. Formula1.com · The beginner's guide to F1 penalties
A driver is not penalised just for having all four wheels outside the line: the limits are set by the sporting regulations and repeats can bring warnings or penalties depending on the circumstances and whether the driver gained an advantage. Chase Your Sport · Frequently misunderstood Formula 1 rules
According to one guide, the white line is part of the track and the kerbs are not, and in qualifying or practice a lap outside the limits can be deleted. Flow Racers · What are track limits in F1?

Sources checked on 18 October 2026. The explanations are popular-level: for the exact rules, check the FIA sporting regulations.