Kerbs ‘welded’ following F1 tyre safety fears

Formula One’s first visit to Baku, Azerbaijan is continuing on schedule, despite concerns over cuts found on several teams’ left-rear tyres in the first free practice session. FIA F1 director Charlie Whiting told UK broadcaster Sky Sports that bolts holding together the kerbs at turns Six and 12 had “come loose”, causing the cuts. To resolve the issue, track workers have “taken the bolts out and welded the kerbs to each other.” A qualifying session for the supporting GP2 series was cancelled, but F1’s second free practice session started on time. Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg and McLaren’s Jenson Button have voiced concerns over the lack of run-off at the Azerbaijani capital’s newly designed street circuit, suggesting tyre safety is of even greater importance than the already high standards required of Pirelli’s F1 rubber.