Austrian GP: Red Bull Ring pitlane altered after F1 driver concerns

Drivers had been asked to ensure that they stayed to the right of the line - which started before Turn 8 - if they intended to come into the pits.

But the layout proved tricky on the opening day of practice, with a number of drivers straying across the line in the final sequence of corners.

Following discussions in the drivers' briefing on Friday night, F1 race director Charlie Whiting agreed to tweak the line to make things easier for drivers.

The start of the line has been moved two metres to the left and now blends with the previous line at the corner.

Whiting has made it clear, however, that there will be no relaxing in the FIA's demand that drivers stick within the line if they are pitting.

Daniel Ricciardo said that the pitlane entry design was not ideal - and reckoned it may have been better to not have the line so early.

"I think we could enter from after Turn 8 rather than before it," he said.

"I wouldn't go as far as saying it's dangerous, I just think it could be better if we take the race line on Turn 8 and cut across for the entry there. It wouldn't hold up a bottleneck behind us either."

The exit of Turn 8 was also discussed in the drivers' briefing after a number of drivers ran wide there during Friday's sessions.

Following discussions with Whiting, it has been made clear that any driver who has all four wheels off the track at that corner will be deemed to have exceeded track limits.

Jenson Button said: "I think it is quicker with all four wheels off the track.

"Fair enough if we're allowed to do it, but the only problem is that it's not part of the track, so suddenly you arrive at grass in front if you've driven off the circuit onto the asphalt. That makes it a little bit more dangerous."