Max Verstappen has defended the kerbing on one of the corners at Yas Marina Circuit that caused minor damage to his Red Bull Racing car during practice ahead of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Dutchman ran wide over the kerbing on the exit of Turn 20 on the 21-corner track during Friday's second practice session and suffered minor damage to his floorboard.
An extra bit of kerbing has been added to the section of track this year in an attempt to avoid drivers running wide and having no deterrent for doing so.
After a good Friday we now focus on the final qualifying of 2018! #UnleashTheLion #KeepPushing #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 pic.twitter.com/oneh6dnxVu
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) November 24, 2018
Verstappen said: "I understand why it is there, and honestly, I think it is not so bad because otherwise you start playing with the limits. I went a little bit over it.
"Last year you could lean on it a little bit. Now it is a bit higher. I don't expect it to be a big problem in the race."
Verstappen was not the only one to suffer problems with the kerb. Both world champion Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen ran over it during Saturday's final practice session, though appeared to escape without harming their respective cars.
______________
Read more:
Marcus Ericsson: F1 exit after Abu Dhabi leads to 'exciting' new chapter with IndyCar
Lowdown on bu Dhabi GP qualifying: Mercedes and Ferrari set to duel for pole
Valtteri Bottas edges out Red Bull pair in tight second practice for Abu Dhabi GP
Time for box office Max Verstappen to 'move forwards' from Esteben Ocon row
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Weekend - all the latest updates on and off the track
