Bollards cause consternation
The bollard that marks the apex of Turn 1 at Hockenheim raised safety doubts at Hockenheim this morning as the third free practice session for the German Grand Prix had be red flagged twice for cars losing their front wings after hitting them
Giorgio Pantano emulated Jordan's test driver Timo Glock yesterday by taking too much kerb on the apex of the bend and clipping the bollard on the inside. Unlike Glock, however, Pantano's wing became wedged under his front wheels, causing him to plough across the run-off and gently nudge the tyrewall.
Following that red flag, Minardi's Zsolt Baumgartner did exactly the same thing and caused another one. His right-front wheel hopped over the dislodged wing this time, allowing him the steering ability to keep out of the wall and cruise back to the pits. Michael Schumacher was forced to take evasive action in his Ferrari, which was next on track, as part of Baumgartner's wing was on the kerb on the exit.
Race directors have visited the site of the consternation, and track workers have completely removed the bollard and its foundation closest to the apex of the corner.
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