The F2 disaster at Silverstone reignited the issue about sausage kerbs in Formula One, know why they result in a crash at F1
But what are they exactly? Why are they hazardous and why are they used? What are they, exactly, then why are sausage pavements so hazardous?
Explained What Are Sausage Curbs In F1, Meaning And Why Do They Result In A Crash In A Race
Making the course as stable as possible is the simple task of a racecar driver. Drivers will always attempt to go in a fixed direction for as long as humanly possible since turning around turns slows you down.
Drivers are occasionally forced to do this in violation of the circuit’s track rules. Frequently going over the white line and officially going off-limits. The addition of sausage kerbs was one remedy the FIA proposed for F1, F2, and F3.
Sausages Kerbs In F1 – What Is It And Why Are They Dangerous For Drivers
WHERE DO F1 SAUSAGE KERBS COME FROM?
In F1, sausage kerbs effectively sit from the outside or inside of corners to stop cars from cutting the corner or going wide to give a competitive edge.
They aren’t positioned at every junction; rather, they are only placed at those where corner-cutting or violating team orders are frequent offences. They were given the moniker because they resemble sausages.
The racers are not unusual in racing. But the FIA made the decision to bring devices to F1 and its satellite series in an effort to find a solution to the problem of drivers exceeding track restrictions.
In principle, the concept is that hitting the sausage kerb should slow you down. And ensure that you could even take that very same path through the turn on the following lap to prevent more time or injury.
Sausage kerbs in Formula One are opposed on the grounds that they are likely to launch vehicles. Which is hazardous for drivers, spectators, and marshals.
WHY ARE THEY DAMAGING?
Sausage kerbs in Formula One are really rather hazardous because of their structure.
Alex Peroni, a Formula 3 driver, collided with a sausage kerb at the entrance of the Parabolica even before cratering in Monza in 2019.
The Australian was catapulted repeatedly, landing inverted directly on top of the tyre barrier. And only suffering a broken vertebra in his behind.
Dennis Hauger was forced wide in the Sunday Features race of the F2 event at Silverstone in 2022 by Roy Nissany as they approached Club turn.
Nissany’s life was saved by the halo because it kept Hauger’s tyres from striking Nissany’s forehead. When he went through the grass and into the sausage curb.
And a famous collision involving Lewis Hamilton & Max Verstappen in Formula One was also caused by a sausage kerb.
Coming out of the pits in 2021, Verstappen was being pursued by Hamilton. He attempted to block him at Turn 2 as the Red Bull driver attempted to force open the hatch.
Verstappen was then propelled by the inner sausage kerb. And came to rest on top of Hamilton’s Mercedes, Hamilton’s halo snapping the Red Bull’s damper as it struck his head.
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