Hamilton calls for Red Bull Ring kerb changes

Lewis Hamilton is urging officials to make alterations to the revised kerbs at the Red Bull Ring following a run of suspension failures.

The new-for-2016 ‘sausage’ kerbs placed on the exit of several corners at the Austrian venue are understood to have contributed to suspension failures in final practice and qualifying.

Organisers introduced the kerbs to ensure drivers stay within the track limits and avoid running wide to gain an advantage.

However, Hamilton believes they are a step too far after team-mate Nico Rosberg, Sergio Perez and Daniil Kvyat all suffered suspension failures on Saturday.

Perez’s failure ruled him out of qualifying in the early stages, while Kvyat escaped a nasty crash after running wide over the kerbs at Turn 8 in Q1.

Hamilton is not the first to criticise the circuit changes with Max Verstappen labelling the kerbs ‘dangerous’ after he damaged his Red Bull during Friday practice.

“I can’t speak on behalf of all the drivers but, for me looking at it, those yellow kerbs are quite dangerous, we’ve seen a couple of incidences already,” said Hamilton, who will start Sunday’s race from pole position.

“How many more is it going to take before a car ends up in the wall and someone gets hurt?

“(This is) something I am sure Charlie (Whiting) and the FIA are looking at, but that’s definitely an area we can improve.

“The idea is good, they don’t want us to run wide and use outside of the circuit but, perhaps, another solution is going to be needed.”

Kvyat also fears the kerbs will continue to cause problems and has joined Hamilton in calling for a review of the circuit changes.

“Once you’re on those kerbs you’re not in control if the suspension breaks. At least on the AstroTurf, you had control,” said Kvyat.

“At the last corner, everyone is going off (with) four wheels, they wanted to make it better but actually they made it worse.

“I think this year the track needs a bit of review, because the track limits is an issue and these kerbs are not very cool, and they are very dangerous actually.”