SAKHIR, Bahrain – The three-day pre-season test at the Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain was interrupted twice due to a loose drain cover on the approach to the track’s Turn 11. The issue was caused by the powerful underfloor aerodynamics of the new ground-effect cars, which put strain on the drains and their concrete surrounds as the cars passed over them at certain points.
The loose drain cover is located at a crucial point of the Bahrain track, where the racing line brings drivers nearly onto the Turn 11 approach kerbs before they sweep in to complete the penultimate corner of the middle sector. The cover lifting caused delays and led to concerns regarding the potential impact on the upcoming 2024 race.
The issue was first noticed towards the end of the first session on the second day of testing, when the drain cover was struck by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The subsequent repairs led to a 90-minute delay, and the second day’s session was rescheduled to make up for the lost time.
On the third day of testing, the loose drain cover caused another delay of one hour and 15 minutes, prompting circuit contractors to address the problem by filling in drains around the course with concrete to avoid a similar issue during the upcoming Grand Prix.
One possible solution was to repaint and move the white line track limit at the spot of the loose drain cover to prevent drivers from running over it at all. The FIA is also examining footage of the test and previous events in Bahrain to assess whether drivers are regularly pushing the track limits at Turn 11 more than before.
The drain issues have raised concerns about potential interruptions during the upcoming race, prompting stakeholders to consider alternative ways to address the problem. The long-term weather forecast indicates no rain during the race weekend, allowing for the implementation of additional solutions to prevent future disruptions in the future.