“Develop a circuit best positioned to improve racing”- Considering the feedback from the drivers, Albert Park is set to develop before 2022.
The traditional season opener track- Albert Park for the Formula 1 calendar year will be leaving way for another track, for the second time in a row.
However, this delay has allowed Albert Park to commence a few renovations on the track that will improve the level of racing, the current target is to complete it at the start of 2022.
“We approached it in a very holistic way, broad and driven by consultation,” Andrew Westacott, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, told Motorsport.com.
“The track was built in 1995 and is therefore very dated. Not only in terms of the asphalt layer, but the cars have now also evolved a lot further.
“The circuit itself has been subject to what I call a level of evolution and evaluation. Drivers often say it’s a great city and a wonderful place to stay, with a great crowd. They think it’s a great place to open the season, but the racing sometimes looks a bit like a parade.
“What we are doing is working with the existing physical environment and limitations to develop a circuit best positioned to improve racing once the 2022 cars come into play.”
Want to reward courageous driving.
As a part of the proposed plan, turns 9 and 10 will be transformed from slow turns into fast bends, allowing for drivers to arrive at turns 11 and 12 with greater speed.
Additionally, there is also a plan for turn 13, which will be modified to have a positive camber, will become a far better overtaking spot. Turns 1, 3, 6 and 15 are to be made wider.
“We wanted to offer opportunities to reward courageous driving and punish sloppy driving,” said Westacott. “The camber of the corners is not always conducive to Formula 1 races.”
Referencing the current negative camber of turn 13, Westacott added: “That makes it more difficult than if the left-to-right bend had a positive camber of five per cent.
“The simulations of F1 showed you can make turn 13 a real overtaking opportunity by arriving at the bend at more speed and slightly adjusting the geometry of the bend. It also makes turns 11 and 12, part of the circuit that the drivers love, a lot more challenging.”
