Mercedes and Red Bull drivers unhappy with Red Bull Ring kerbing
Monday 4 July 2016 13:05, UK
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen believe the FIA needs to address the "dangerous" kerbs which have triggered a spate of suspension failures ahead of the Austrian GP.
In an attempt to stop drivers running with all four wheels off the circuit in a bid to gain time around the Red Bull Ring, the FIA have installed new types of kerbing at all nine corners of the circuit for this weekend's race.
However, the yellow raised 'sausage' kerbs on the exits of Turn Five and Turn Eight have proved particularly controversial. Verstappen crashed out of Practice One with a broken suspension when he hit them on Friday, while Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat suffered a huge accident in qualifying when his suspension gave way running over them.
And world champion Hamilton, whose public stance towards F1 safety has been criticised by Verstappen, reckons the FIA may be wise to look at an alternative solution.
Hamilton on pole position for the Austrian Grand Prix
"I can't speak for the other drivers but from me looking at it, those yellow kerbs are quite dangerous," Hamilton said after claiming pole position.
"We've seen a couple of incidents already. I don't know how many more it's going to take before a car ends up in the wall and perhaps someone gets hurt.
"I'm sure [race director] Charlie [Whiting] and the FIA are looking at it but it's definitely an area we can improve. I think the idea's good because they don't want us running wide and using the outside of the circuit but perhaps another solution is going to be needed."
Despite Verstappen labelling the sausage kerbs "really dangerous" after twice breaking his car against them on Friday, Sky F1 understands the issue was not raised in the regular drivers' briefing after practice.
"All the drivers were very happy with the kerbs, so maybe now they're not so happy some of them," said Verstappen.
"Definitely in turn eight, that one is pretty dangerous as you could see with the crash of Daniil."
However, opinion was split as to whether changes were required, with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen suggesting drivers don't run wide if they feel there might be a problem.
"It doesn't mean that the kerb is to blame," he said.
"We have heavier kerbs in other places. We don't seem to have any issues. The kerbs here get rougher when you run wide where you shouldn't really be, so if you're in doubt then stay away from it."
