Pirelli fears Qatar GP repeat on "aggressive" new Abu Dhabi F1 track kerbs
By: Adam Cooper
Dec 10, 2021, 12:10 PM
Pirelli Formula 1 boss Mario Isola admits he has concerns about aggressive new kerbs on the modified Abu Dhabi track.
The Italian company has put an extra focus on kerbs since the Qatar GP, where four drivers suffered similar failures in the race.
Pirelli later determined that the failures resulted from drivers consistently running over and back across kerbs during long stints in the race, which is why the problem hadn't been apparent after practice.
While acknowledging that the exact circumstances are different in Abu Dhabi, Isola noted that the kerbs on the exit of the two redesigned corners are of particular concern.
He intends to discuss the matter with FIA race director Michael Masi on Friday evening.
"They are very similar [to Qatar], they are not exactly the same." he said. "Especially they are quite aggressive at the exit of Turn 5 and Turn 9.
"They are the most aggressive. From Turns 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 the race if they push during the races. So there is this element that we have to consider.
"Clearly we have a different situation compared to Qatar, it's a different speed, it's a different time they stay over the kerb, but it is in any case, something we have to consider, and we have to pay attention."
https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/pi...kerbs/6871344/