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Kerbs have been modified at the Yas Marina track overnight ahead of FP3 at Formula One’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The kerbs were introduced as part of the update programme, but now have been update after feedback from drivers, teams and tyre supplier Pirelli.
The exit kerbs at the two newly-reprofiled corners, Turn 5 and 9, have been changed.
There has also been an increase in the pressures (1,5 front, 1 rear).
The sharp peaks of the second row of the double kerbs have now been rounded off at both corners.
The kerbs have been a big talking point, not only on social media but in Friday night’s FIA drivers’ briefing.
Participants suggested that they should be altered so that they could be used more.
Teams were more concerned about potential car damage. This was a concern because many cars suffered from incidents in Qatar.
As well as incidents, four drivers suffered tyre failures in the Qatar race.
Pirelli later determined that this was a result of consistent kerb strikes as tyres wore down, becoming more vulnerable.
After this Friday’s FP1 session in Abu Dhabi, Pirelli’s boss Mario Isola express Pirelli’s concerns to the FIA:
“They are very similar [to Qatar], they are not exactly the same,
“Especially they are quite aggressive at the exit of Turn 5 and Turn 9.
“They are the most aggressive. From Turn 1 to 4 they are the same as last year, and then we are different kerbs Turns 12, 13, 14, 15.
“The exit of Turn 16 is the same as the last year. So we have differences compared to this year, and they are more aggressive.
“There are also different kerbs on the apex of the corners, but obviously the apex is different. First of all, because you have the unloaded tyres on the car that are on the apex.
“And second because the drivers can manage not to run too much on the apex, while I am more worried about the exit kerbs, especially in Turns 5 and 9, that are the most aggressive.
“We saw from free practice both in F2 and F1 that they are running especially over the kerbs and the exit of Turn 9, that is also the turn with the highest speed.
“And I’m sure that in qualifying they will use the kerbs and maybe also during the race if they push during the races. So there is this element that we have to consider.”
Feature Image Credit: @ScuderiaFerrari on Twitter.
