F1 drivers play down flare concerns after Austrian GP

Ahead of the formation lap in last Sunday’s Red Bull Ring race, grandstands erupted in orange smoke as Verstappen fans set off flares, and did so again in the closing stages before the finish.

This was particularly prominent at the Turn 6/7 area, with the orange smoke drifting across the circuit and limiting visibility.

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However, race winner Charles Leclerc said the flares weren’t much of a problem for him.

“The…