Before the opening race of the 2024 Formula 1 season, new measures were taken to address the issue of broken drainage covers at the Bahrain circuit. During last week’s pre-season test, the session was interrupted twice due to a loose drainage cover near Turn 11. These drainage covers, which are long, narrow, and grooved, run alongside the kerbs on the outer edge of the back straight before a medium-speed left turn. After the first incident, the covers were repaired, but the problem occurred again on the last day of testing, leading to a reinforcement of the entire structure, which remained intact until the end of the test. With four days remaining until the next on-track activity, improvements were made to prevent a similar occurrence.
To address the main problem area near Turn 11, the loose drainage cover was removed and replaced with concrete, which was painted to match the color of the kerbs. In addition, extensive welding was carried out on both sides of the drainage covers in other parts of the track. The goal is to strengthen the drainage covers and prevent any future issues.
The cause of the recurring problem during the tests is still being investigated. One theory suggests that the drivers are using the run-off area near the drainage more frequently. This can be attributed to the improvement in mechanical configuration and aerodynamic performance of this year’s cars, allowing the drivers to push the limits without compromising the stability of the car when entering Turn 11. Whether similar measures will be necessary at other circuits on the calendar is still uncertain.
It is worth noting that during last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, controversy arose when Carlos Sainz collided with a loose road surface cover, causing significant damage to his Ferrari.
