F1 to Test Unique Kerbs at Barcelona

The upcoming F1 group test in Barcelona, scheduled to kick off on Saturday, will come with several novelties for racers and fans alike. And one that hasn't been discussed in the last few days was the new-spec kerbs that will be experimented by the world of Formula 1 on the Catalonian track.

According to Circuit de Catalunya boss Salvador Servia, the new test will provide the F1 officials the opportunity to evaluate some unique kerbs (which will actually serve as speed bumps), aimed at “preventing drivers from straying too far from the track at places like turn 8,” as confirmed by the EFE news agency.

The same Servia confirmed that the new kerbs will be a world first and that their implementation on the Circuit de Catalunya track has been given the go ahead by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

“In corners like this, the F1 drivers find it better to go through the grass than the track,” said Servia about the new removable kerbs. “So we are putting in these speed bumps, which can be removed for the motorcycles,” he added, while avoiding to give any predictions on whether the kerbs will make F1 debut this year or not.

And since this will be the last time the F1 teams will get to test in Europe before heading to Bahrain for the last group test of the season and also the opening round of the 2011 campaign, Pirelli will try out some modified versions of their soft and super-soft tires, criticized by so many after the Jerez test.

In addition, the test will also witness the opening of a new medical centre this week, as reported by the GMM news agency.