French GP kerbs remain unchanged despite F1 teams requests

Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen both damaged their cars running wide over the Turn 2 kerbs during Friday practice, prompting calls from Mercedes and Red Bull for the FIA to consider making changes.

FIA race director Michael Masi confirmed he would look into the issue following a pair of radio exchanges that were broadcast during the two practice sessions on Friday.

But the FIA has rejected requests from F1 teams to remove the exit kerbs, which remained in place for the opening Formula 3 race on Saturday morning and will continue to be used in FP3 and qualifying.

This is despite Mercedes and Red Bull’s respective sporting directors Ron Meadows and Jonathan Wheatley highlighting the severe damage caused, and the financial cost that comes with a trip over the kerbs.

Teams are particularly worried about financial implications of picking up damage with the introduction of a new cost cap for this year.

Wheatley stressed that the “penalty for going wide is about £100,000” during his exchange with Masi in second practice.

The issue was discussed in Friday night’s drivers’ briefing at Paul Ricard but no changes have been made.

There has, however, been an overnight update to track limits restrictions, with the exit of Turn 6 set to be actively monitored for the rest of the French GP weekend.

Drivers will have lap times deleted for leaving the track there in final practice and qualifying, and any infringement will count towards their race tally which ultimately leads to a penalty after three strikes.

No drivers had their lap times deleted for exceeding track limits on the opening day of running on Friday.

Track limits will also be policed by the FIA at Turns 1-5 and the Turn 8-9 chicane on the back straight.