I have come up with an idea for the off-track penalty system.
If you go 1 metre off track: You get a 1 second penalty
If you go 2 metres off track: You get a 2 second penalty
etc
Up to: If you go 5 metres off track: You get a 5 second penalty.
If during your time off track your speed drops below 30mph/50kph, the penalty stops and allows you to pick up speed and rejoin safely without the penalty keeping you at the speed as you rejoin the track.
This way, you can have tight battles without the risk of a massive penalty, or it doesn't compound an error from running wide. There are some places where the penalty for slight cuts is very harsh (Aintree, Raidillon to name a few), and this would make it better.
If you go 1 metre off track: You get a 1 second penalty
If you go 2 metres off track: You get a 2 second penalty
etc
Up to: If you go 5 metres off track: You get a 5 second penalty.
If during your time off track your speed drops below 30mph/50kph, the penalty stops and allows you to pick up speed and rejoin safely without the penalty keeping you at the speed as you rejoin the track.
This way, you can have tight battles without the risk of a massive penalty, or it doesn't compound an error from running wide. There are some places where the penalty for slight cuts is very harsh (Aintree, Raidillon to name a few), and this would make it better.