Bridgestone wary of street circuit’s bridge section

According to Spanish newspaper Diario AS, Bridgestone is concerned that a small height gap between the two sides of Valencia’s swing bridge (see photo) may cause punctures.

The FIA’s technical boss, Charlie Whiting, walked around the track to inspect its layout. He is considering making changes to the bridge section prior to the race - although quite what those changes might be is anyone’s guess.

Honda’s Rubens Barrichello claimed that should drivers crash or break down on the 100-metre long bridge, the race may have to be stopped.

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

We’d say the chances of a crash on the bridge are very slim - it’s a straightforward section and it’s hard to see any drivers coming a cropper there. But if a car was to break down, Barrichello’s words could return to haunt the race organisers.