The Baku Grand Prix weekend opened with an unexpected issue that brought back an old concern: the curbs. The first free practice session was interrupted due to damage found on one of the circuit’s curbs, forcing the marshals to halt track activities for safety reasons.
It is not the first time, however, that the Azerbaijan circuit has faced such problems. Back in 2016, during its Formula 1 debut, then-Race Director Charlie Whiting personally inspected the curbs after several tyres were damaged in FP1, sparking debates and concerns over the safety of the Baku layout.
Today’s incident confirms the treacherous nature of the track, a unique blend of endless straights and extremely narrow sections between the walls. In such a context, where precision is crucial, the curbs play a decisive role in performance but also pose a tangible risk to car stability and tyre integrity.
The organizers quickly intervened to restore track conditions and allow the session to resume. Still, the debate remains: to what extent can Baku’s curbs truly balance spectacle and safety?
Read also: Azerbaijan GP, FP1: red flag interrupts session. McLaren one-two, Leclerc third.
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