Newey explains problem with loose manhole covers: 'That's why this keeps happening'

By now, it has become a recurring problem in Formula 1: loose covers. It happened to Carlos Sainz in Las Vegas and in Bahrain it happened twice in two days. How can this keep happening? Adrian Newey explains.

Newey explains problem with loose manhole covers

Meanwhile, loose manhole covers have already caused delays during the winter test at the Bahrain International Circuit. On day two of the test, it was Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton who dislodged a manhole cover in the kerb, after which Charles Leclerc drove over it again, damaging the floor of his Ferrari SF-24.

On the third and final day of the test, it was Sergio Perez who drove over the drain, again loosening the manhole cover in the kerb. On both days, this meant an hour's delay, eliminating the afternoon break. On Friday, therefore, the clock continued to tick all day. For Perez, the damage to his floor was not too bad.

Adrian Newey, who was under the RB20 in Red Bull Racing's garage during the red flag to inspect the floor after the incident, knows how to explain why this problem keeps happening. "The cars are too big and too heavy. That's why this keeps happening," Red Bull's chief technical officer said.

Newey inspecting the RB20 floor after Perez hit a loose drain cover