Drivers positive about Monza changes

As autosport.com revealed yesterday, Monza officials have replaced the gravel trap at the circuit's second chicane with an asphalt run off area.

The move came after the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) called for the change in a statement issued after last year's Italian Grand Prix, when they expressed their frustration that no action had been taken.

And although drivers are expected to visit the corner this evening for a closer inspection of the changes, the early impressions of the revisions from inside the cockpit were positive.

"I am going to have a close look at it tonight, but I already think it is better," said Jarno Trulli, who was involved in the discussions between the GPDA and Monza officials.

"It is good to see what they have done. It's a definite step forward."

When asked whether he had actually tried out the new surface in his car, Trulli smiled and replied: "Not yet."

The only driver who did go off there during the first day of the test was Williams test driver Kazuki Nakajima.

The Japanese believed that the changes had made it easier for drivers to recover from incidents at the corner.

"It was quite simple to come back onto the track, but I don't know how much better it is than before because I have never driven here before," he said.

BMW Sauber driver Nick Heidfeld added: "I have not used the new run-off area yet, but it will be better 90 percent of the time. Of course if you have a throttle stuck open and brake failure it is a different matter, but there is now a lot less chance of flipping over.

"We discussed this corner many times and it is better. It looks like they have changed the barrier a bit too, but I will have to go and check that."