Formula One drivers Saturday said they would steer clear of the kerbs at the new Indian Grand Prix track after Ferrari's Felipe Massa lost a front wheel in what looked like a harmless bump.

Racers were united in praise of the purpose-built Buddh International Circuit but they remained wary of the roadsides after Massa's mishap in qualifying.

The Brazilian's right front wheel was knocked askew after he misread a chicane and bounced over the kerb, prompting him to plough nose-first into the barriers. "Felipe hit not the kerb, but the bit behind the kerb, too hard," said world champ Sebastian Vettel.u00a0