Daniel Ricciardo is "disappointed" with the changes made at the second Swimming Pool chicane in Monaco and thinks that part of the circuit has become less of a challenge.
Last year the barrier on the entry to the second chicane was moved away from the racing line, with a raised yellow curb marking the edge of the circuit (see below). This meant drivers had less chance of hitting the barriers on the inside but also a tighter angle in order to make the exit curb.
Ahead of Thursday's practice sessions the FIA removed last year's installation, with the inside of the corner now running along a red and white kerb.
Ricciardo said that has made the corner even less challenging than it was previously and planned to raise the matter in Thursday afternoon's driver meeting.
"I'm actually a little bit disappointed because they opened up the Swimming Pool this year, the second apex is more open so it's less of a challenge, I would say, than it has been in the past. I might say something in drivers' briefing today and see if they can bring it back a little bit.
"Normally the cars are a little bit more sideways through the flip flop and change of direction... today was a bit more a straight line. I'm still enjoying it but I think last year and even 2014 it was more of a challenge."
Haas driver Romain Grosjean enjoyed the tweaks to the section, though overall he echoed Ricciardo's statement about the diminished challenge.
"I think it's quite fun," the Frenchman said.
But when told what Ricciardo had said about the corner now being less of a challenge, he said: "It's a fair point. It's a bit less challenging than it was but you can carry more speed through it so the momentum of the Swimming Pool gets a little bit longer."