Friday, 22nd August 2008

The all-new F1 harbour-side street circuit in Valencia - home to the European Grand Prix this weekend - could be subject to change ahead of the race, following concerns over its bridge section.

There could yet be eleventh hour alterations to the track layout in Valencia ahead of the European Grand Prix this weekend – the city's first-ever Formula 1 race – with fears that the bridge section may cause problems.

According to Spanish newspaper Diario AS, tyre supplier Bridgestone is worried that a small height gap between the two sides of the swivelling swing bridge may lead to punctures.

Both head of the FIA technical department Charlie Whiting and his aides, together with most of the top flight's 20 drivers, have been out walking around the track to inspect its layout.

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Honda's Rubens Barrichello – the most experienced driver in F1 history, with a record 263 grand prix starts under his belt from 16 seasons – claimed that should drivers either crash or break down on the 100-metre long bridge section, the race may have to be stopped.

“It's not even a safety car issue,” the Brazilian told reporters at the circuit. “You would have to take the car away and bring trucks onto the bridge.”

Whiting is understood to be considering making changes to the bridge section prior to the race.

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