Monaco: Formula One drivers shrugged off concern on Wednesday that freshly laid asphalt at a key corner of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit could create added danger in Sunday's showcase race.
Organisers had to re-surface a large section of the Ste. Devote corner at the end of the pit straight, at the braking point for drivers before the uphill climb to Casino square, after a truck caught fire and melted the surface on Tuesday.
Some commentators have expressed concern that the new surface could prove slippery as oils seep to the surface. First practice on the tricky street circuit is on Thursday. "I walked the circuit before and it looked OK...it looked like they did a good job," said Renault's German driver Nick Heidfeld.
McLaren's Jenson Button, a winner in the Mediterranean principality in 2009 with Brawn GP, said had not yet checked out the circuit but doubted it would be a problem. "They're the professionals, they know how to lay tarmac. Hopefully it will be fine tomorrow," said the Briton.
Australian Mark Webber, last year's winner for Red Bull, said he expected the asphalt to stand up to the punishment from the cars. "I haven't been down there and probably won't until tomorrow because I can stand and scratch my foot on it for as long as I want but until I drive the car on it I won't know what it's like," he said.
"But it's probably lucky it did happen in Monaco because they are obviously not short of a few bob and can just get the (repair) truck out and get on with it."
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