close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US
Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel in Qatar GP practice

Aston Martin drivers warned against "hard kerb strikes" following damage

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel in Qatar GP practice — Photo: © LAT Images

Aston Martin drivers warned against "hard kerb strikes" following damage

"Aggressive kerbs" at the Losail circuit have taken their toll

Aston Martin drivers Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll have been warned to avoid making "hard kerb strikes" due to damage sustained so far in practice for the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Losail International Circuit is making its debut on the F1 calendar this weekend, and following the first day of running on Friday, numerous drivers encountered issues due to the "aggressive" nature of the kerbs that caused damage.

It has led to Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer making clear to drivers Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll of the possible consequences.

"The drivers and the engineers like the track apart from some of the aggressive kerbs that appear to be damaging the cars when we hit them at excessive speeds," said Szafnauer.

"We had a bit of damage in FP1, which we weren't anticipating, and we really have to be careful so that we manage our spares correctly."

As to the exact nature of the damage, Szafnauer added: "Front-wing damage, floor damage. Mainly damage to carbon parts, and I don't think we were the only ones. I saw some others.

"Hard kerb strikes, that bit we don't like but the circuit itself is good."

Despite assessing their to be "good balance" with the car, Szafnauer felt there was "lap time [lost] in going over the kerbs, so therein lies the conundrum".

Responding to his suggestion to the drivers, he said: "We can't jeopardise the car by being too aggressive."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Apple launch two new F1 shows ahead of Miami Grand Prix

Apple launch two new F1 shows ahead of Miami Grand Prix

  • 20 minutes ago
What’s wrong with Max Verstappen? Red Bull's F1 issues heading into Miami GP

What’s wrong with Max Verstappen? Red Bull's F1 issues heading into Miami GP

  • 1 hour ago
F1 star tells Ferrari he wants to replace Lewis Hamilton

F1 star tells Ferrari he wants to replace Lewis Hamilton

  • 2 hours ago
FIA confirm unusual Miami GP change after race cancellations

FIA confirm unusual Miami GP change after race cancellations

  • Today 16:12
F1 2026 Miami Grand Prix weather forecast - latest from Florida as thunderstorms threaten race

F1 2026 Miami Grand Prix weather forecast - latest from Florida as thunderstorms threaten race

  • Today 14:27
World champion sprinter sues Mercedes F1 team: 'Unsafe, dangerous and defective'

World champion sprinter sues Mercedes F1 team: 'Unsafe, dangerous and defective'

  • Today 12:54

Just in

19:57
Apple launch two new F1 shows ahead of Miami Grand Prix
18:57
What’s wrong with Max Verstappen? Red Bull's F1 issues heading into Miami GP
17:42
F1 star tells Ferrari he wants to replace Lewis Hamilton
16:12
FIA confirm unusual Miami GP change after race cancellations
14:27
F1 2026 Miami Grand Prix weather forecast - latest from Florida as thunderstorms threaten race
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Apple launch two new F1 shows ahead of Miami Grand Prix Apple F1

Apple launch two new F1 shows ahead of Miami Grand Prix

20 minutes ago
What’s wrong with Max Verstappen? Red Bull's F1 issues heading into Miami GP Miami Grand Prix

What’s wrong with Max Verstappen? Red Bull's F1 issues heading into Miami GP

1 hour ago
F1 star tells Ferrari he wants to replace Lewis Hamilton Ferrari

F1 star tells Ferrari he wants to replace Lewis Hamilton

2 hours ago
FIA confirm unusual Miami GP change after race cancellations Miami Grand Prix

FIA confirm unusual Miami GP change after race cancellations

Today 16:12
Ontdek het op Google Play
x