Canadian GP: FIA alters Turn 1 barrier after driver complaints

Ahead of Sunday's Canadian GP, thee FIA has modified the length of the barrier that outlines the run-off area at Montreal's Turn 1 following widespread complaints by F1's drivers.

The barrier was extended this year to prevent drivers who overshoot Turn 1 from rejoining the track beyond Turn 2.

In practice and in qualifying, drivers who ran wide upon entry into the complex had to run along the wall and then over the grass and kerb before veering sharply right onto the track.

At Friday evening's driver's briefing, the topic involving the barrier at the first corner was tabled, with several drivers expressing their dissatisfaction with the arrangement.

While the barrier remained in place on Saturday, it has been shortened for Sunday's race, with 4 metres removed to help drivers rejoin the track further into Turn 2.

"Following discussions with the drivers we are making the change to allow them to rejoin more easily and will refine this solution further for future events," said a spokesperson for the FIA, quoted by Autosport.

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GPDA director George Russell wondered why the drivers had not been consulted by the governing body beforehand.

"We all spoke about that last night," said the Mercedes driver.

"In hindsight, we probably should have been consulted about the views on that before decisions were made. And we all agree that it's suboptimal."
Williams' Alex Albon echoed Russell view and questioned why the change had been undertaken in the first place.

"It's one of those where you kind of scratch your head and try to understand the reasoning for it," said Alex Albon.

"I was off there on Friday, I was exploring the fair bit over the last two days! It was actually I think, a well-designed corner pre-change, if you went off. Now it's obviously more dangerous than it was before.

"A bit of help from the drivers, I think, we've would have only stopped it from happening in the first place. It's definitely something as the GPDA we've spoken about a fair bit to them."

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