The FIA has removed the new kerb which had been added at the exit of the Eau Rouge/Raidillon complex following discussions with F1 drivers.
A 30mm high kerb had been added at the apex of the turn four left-hander to discourage drivers from cutting that part of the circuit. However ahead of today’s running the FIA notified teams in a statement that the kerb had been removed.
Drivers have been given new advice on how the stewards will police corner-cutting at that part of the circuit and Curve Paul Frere (turn 15):
“Further to the discussion in the [drivers’] meeting, and as a result of the change to the kerb in turn 4, a report will only be made to the stewards if a driver has exceeded the track limits (principally but not limited to the areas behind the kerbs in turns 4 and 15), and is suspected of gaining an advantage from doing so.”
The exit kerb at the La Source hairpin has also been shortened to make it easier for drivers to re-join the circuit after running wide.
Atticus (@atticus-2)
22nd August 2015, 9:45
Apparently GP3 drivers complained they got launched into the air over it – obviously, if they are still not cautious enough and drive over them, that will always get nasty there. But it was the same before the asphalt run-off as well…
David Not Coulthard (@davidnotcoulthard)
22nd August 2015, 11:25
@atticus-2 But they’ll (not quite wrongly) say that there was a reason ashpalt was laid there.
Atticus (@atticus-2)
22nd August 2015, 11:29
I since watched the replays and now say that the kerb was indeed dangerous as it went too far down the hill. It should have been shorter and centered around the apex of Raidillon to avoid these take offs, but still provide deterrence to corner-cutting.
StefMeister (@stefmeister)
22nd August 2015, 9:52
From GP3 practice yesterday:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezskGCwF7Pg
Toxic (@)
22nd August 2015, 11:11
Yeah.. remove it cause it may become too difficult for the poor drivers…
Albert
22nd August 2015, 11:50
@toxic There’s a thin line between “difficult” and “dangerous”. Which I think it’s very obvious at this point.
Toxic (@)
22nd August 2015, 12:25
As there is between “easy” and “safe”.
pastaman (@)
22nd August 2015, 12:47
That makes no sense
Albert
22nd August 2015, 13:40
@toxic As @pastaman said, that made no sense.
Bebilou (@bebilou)
22nd August 2015, 12:24
Bring back gravel traps ! Not always safer, but at least this would bring back challenge on current tracks.
Anyway, these tarmac runoffs are going to kill somebody one day. A driver with a brake failure will hit a wall without being slowed down (because the car is aligned with track). Then people will say “ok, it’s dangerous, let’s put gravel traps.”
pastaman (@)
22nd August 2015, 12:46
Honestly, who thought it was a good idea to put a kerb on the outside of one of the fastest and most load-intensive turns on the calendar?
Strontium (@strontium)
22nd August 2015, 13:11
@pastaman Was thinking the same, a very silly decision I think.
Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
22nd August 2015, 13:30
@pastaman The FIA.. potentially launching cars at full speed, no problem; driving over a white line at slow speeds – 100 grid place penalty!!! Maybe this is their attempt to ‘spice up the show’… but as usual, they are fiddling while Rome burns.
Frans
24th August 2015, 7:39
Wait a minute! so the track limits isn’t the white line but behind the kerbs as a car must have 4 wheels outside the kerb to be called for exceeding the track limit? Why?