Personally I think F1 has moved towards what they consider "ownership" of the racing line, but have been extremely vague as to when it happens. IMHO it should never happen. You can use the preferred racing line when it isn't occupied by another car, or at least substantial parts of that car. Once someone else is alongside, it should be the responsibility of both drivers to negotiate the corner on their compromised lines, with the driver closer to the preferred line having "right of way" as it may be, to expect the other driver to push to track limits.

Why? Because once they are side by side to any extent, until a pass is complete with no overlap, both drivers are already on compromised racing lines, and neither is on the preferred line. And depending on corner contour and speed, when we see side by side racing it often ends with one or the other having the faster exit that sets them up for the next corner or straight. If they are going to enforce it the way they are now, they might as well paint a line on the preferred apex and say whatever car touches that line first can move however they want after that point.

With Monza as the example, Max pushed Lewis off at turn 4. But Lewis steered off and "blinked" so no contact was made, and no penalty was given. Had Lewis driven to track limits and stayed, any contact would be on Max, even though he was on the inside. Because both of them were on compromised lines.

The same applies to T1/T2. On entry Max was on the far left, the preferred entry. But he couldn't turn in and fully commit, as the Merc was there. On the flip side, Lewis was out of position on turn in, thus had to take a tighter radius turn. But when he opened up, there was no room on the inside. If you go back to race start, Lewis and Lando go through that very section of corner side by side with no issues. Lewis on the outside gets the faster exit and moves ahead.



There are really only one or two corners in F1 that can't be taken side by side with relative ease. It's just that they have promoted a mentality of racing line/apex/nose ahead/whatever to say that in some vague circumstances one of the drivers completely owns the racing line and can push someone off without any consequences. In reality it has turned into an unknown, and usually since one driver blinks and backs off, they don't have to make the calls often. But when they do, they still often don't seem to have any uniform guidelines.

Max vs Leclerc Austria 2019... Max just keeps driving as if the Ferrari isn't there, and it's ok? It should never be ok to force another car off track when both can easily negotiate a corner. If the off line car is there, it should always be given a car width and be expected to be driving it to the track limits. The way the current rules are, they aren't quite sure when ownership happens other than a case by case basis, and what they are encouraging is a high speed wheel to wheel game of chicken.... see who backs out first.



They should watch Supercross or tight circuit Motocross where lines change at the drop of a hat. Ownership of any line is temporary, and takes place only when you are there and can make the line stick. Since it's usually the following rider that goes down when back to front wheel contact happens, it doesn't happen all that often at speed.