Formula 1 has proactively addressed concerns stemming from last week’s testing interruptions in Bahrain by addressing a drain issue ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.
During testing, a drain situated on the drivers’ right-hand side near turn 11 at the Bahrain International Circuit became a focal point of concern after its covering dislodged, halting testing sessions twice. The disruption, caused by passing cars lifting the covers onto the track, resulted in an hour-long pause on both Thursday and Friday of last week.
The incident notably led to damage on Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, although fortunately, the impact was not as severe as Carlos Sainz Jnr’s collision with a broken water valve cover during a Las Vegas practice session last season.
has suggested that modern Formula 1 cars, with their significant downforce, may exacerbate issues with track surface coverings. Additionally, the Bahrain International Circuit’s unique features, such as flat kerbs, contribute to the challenges drivers face, particularly when widening racing lines on corner entries.
To mitigate such disruptions ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, organizers have taken precautionary measures. They filled in and painted over the drain in question to prevent further incidents during the race weekend. Practice sessions will commence at 2:30 pm local time tomorrow, with the race weekend rescheduled earlier to accommodate Ramadan.
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