P1racenews AI automatic summary:
New solutions to prevent issues with drain covers breaking have been implemented around the Bahrain circuit ahead of Formula 1’s 2024 season-opening race
New solutions have been implemented around the Bahrain circuit to prevent issues with drain covers breaking before the 2024 Formula 1 season-opening race. Last week’s pre-season test had to be red-flagged twice due to a loose drain cover near Turn 11, which has long, narrow, slotted drain covers next to the kerbs on the back straight. After the drain covers were initially re-welded following the first failure, they had to be reinforced again after the problem recurred during the final day of testing. With a few days before the next track action, improvements have been made, such as removing, filling with concrete, and painting over the problematic drain approaching Turn 11. Extensive welding has also been done on other parts of the track, possibly due to drivers using the run-off area more frequently, which could have caused the repeated issues during the test. It remains to be seen if similar measures will be necessary at other circuits, considering incidents like Carlos Sainz damaging his Ferrari in Las Vegas due to a loose road surface cover during last year’s Grand Prix weekend.
