F1 Drivers Raise Alarm Over Safety Risks from Drain Covers Amid Budget Constraints

Other drivers have also expressed concerns following two separate incidents that brought back memories of a previous occurrence that resulted in significant damage to Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari during last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen, who is seeking his fourth consecutive championship this season, expressed concerns that the current high-pressure aerodynamic cars are increasing the likelihood of such incidents due to the suction created by their aerodynamics. He suggested that these incidents could be avoided by conducting thorough checks before driving on tracks that are not frequently used by other cars, especially in terms of examining the stability of drain covers. Verstappen emphasized that these incidents are particularly undesirable considering the budget cap in place. The damage caused by the Las Vegas incident to Sainz’s Ferrari was extensive, leading to irreparable damage to the survival cell, engine, energy storage, and control electronics. The team is still awaiting an insurance claim, and such incidents can have a significant financial impact on teams operating under strict financial constraints. Ferrari’s Leclerc acknowledged the seriousness of the problem and called for measures to prevent its recurrence. He expressed gratitude that the Bahrain incident did not have the same severity as the one in Vegas but emphasized the need to find the best solution to address this concern. Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Hamilton also expressed his concern about the stoppages caused by drain covers and hoped that the governing body, the FIA, was taking appropriate measures. He suggested that drain covers be securely welded well in advance of races to prevent such incidents. The first race of the season will take place at the Sakhir circuit on March 2. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin)