French Grand Prix

Bottas expects discussion over "harsh" French GP kerbs

Bottas sustained damage when riding the kerbs on the exit of turn two

Sam Hall

Friday 18 June 2021 18:00

Valtteri Bottas believes the "harsh" penalties being served by kerbs lining the outside of turn two at Paul Ricard will be a "discussion point" ahead of French Grand Prix qualifying.

The Finn, who sits sixth in the F1 standings, was restricted to the garage for a period in FP1 after striking the yellow sausage kerbs that run at an angle on the outside of the second corner, damaging the front wing and floor of his Mercedes.

Mercedes team manager Ron Meadows complained about the "aggressive" kerbs to FIA race director Michael Masi following the first session with his Red Bull counterpart, Jonathan Wheatley, following suit later in the day.

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After team principal Toto Wolff suggested that "these kerbs are maybe too radical", Bottas, who topped the first session when he returned to the track, added that the penalty for hitting them “It is quite harsh.

"Obviously, it is up to you as a driver if you push too much and you go there but it is really penalising and I think I broke some bits on the floor.

“I think I wasn’t the only one so it is quite harsh. For sure, that is the hard limit and we can’t go any further but it might be a discussion point. We will see.”

Bottas "trusts" new Mercedes chassis

Bottas struggled throughout the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, finishing 12th on pure pace in a performance that served only to ramp up speculation over his future with Mercedes,

After topping the first session, the 31-year-old finished second in the afternoon's running to Max Verstappen - his time of one minute 32.880secs bettered by the Dutchman only by 0.008secs.

Bottas was left satisfied by his Friday performance in France, stating: “It is such a different track but the balance is good, the tyres are working well.

"I am confident with the car, I can trust the car and I think that is the biggest difference.”

Asked how different his new chassis, one that was used by team-mate Lewis Hamilton in each of the opening six races of the year, felt, he added: “It’s hard to say if it’s chassis or track conditions, but it’s a lot better feeling than two weeks ago that is for sure.

"I feel we have started the weekend on the right foot. Everything was feeling quite okay and being comfortable and pretty fast with the car so far.”