- Italian Grand Prix
Drivers wanted Parabolica tarmac run-off - Whiting
Charlie Whiting says F1 drivers were among those asking for the new tarmac run-off area at Monza's Parabolica corner which caused a storm when pictures circulated on Twitter last month.
The reaction to the corner was generally negative from fans, while Ferrari junior and GP2 race-winner Raffaele Marciello tweeted "why?" with a picture of the work being undertaken. One of the main issues is that the new run-off area takes away some of the challenge of one of F1's most iconic corners.
But FIA race director Whiting stands by the decision to tarmac the corner as he says it was in response to concerns voiced by drivers, among others.
"About 35% of the gravel has been replaced," Whiting is quoted as saying by Autosport. "This has been requested for safety reasons by the FIA and the drivers, just as it has been at virtually every other circuit that F1 races on.
"Of course we know that it is not as punishing to a driver who leaves the track but that is the price that we pay for much improved safety: a price both the drivers and I believe is worth paying."
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