Following two heavy crashes during last year’s race, the FIA has confirmed some key safety modifications to Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit ahead of next month’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
The Melbourne Park Circuit that will play host to the season-opening race in the upcoming season is set to go through some key tweaks after a series of incidents in recent years.
Last year saw Mercedes driver George Russell suffer a heavy crash at Turn 6 after being caught out by Fernando Alonso braking earlier than expected. His Mercedes veered off-track before being thrown back onto the racing line.
Earlier during the weekend in the second free practice session, Williams driver Alexander Albon sustained a severe crash at the same corner which has raised concerns over the corner’s design and safety.
Although several drivers voiced their concerns about the safety of Turn 6, many label that section of the Albert Park Circuit as the most enjoyable segment. However, the governing body has now elected to request a few modifications from the organizers to improve safety ahead of next month’s Australian Grand Prix.
While several potential solutions had been considered, including re-profiling the corner to reduce speeds, replacing the gravel trap with an asphalt run-off area, the FIA opted to adjust the barriers to prevent cars from bouncing back onto the track.
In addition, the kerbs at Turns 6 and 7 have been replaced with a single specification of a negative kerb, which sits lower than the track surface.
“Following a review of last year’s event at Albert Park, several changes to Turn 6 and Turn 7 have been approved in collaboration with the local ASN and the grand prix organisers. The kerb at the exit of Turn 6 through entry and apex of Turn 7 has been replaced with a single specification of negative kerb.
“This adjustment removes the transition from negative to positive kerb that was present in this area, which previously had been addressed by local modification (grinding) of the kerb to provide a smoother transition between kerb types. The intent is to remove the possibility of this transition destabilizing a car.
“Additionally, the gravel trap now extends to the back of the kerb and the barrier on the left-hand side of Turn 7 has also been moved and re-profiled to mitigate the possibility of a car coming to rest in a position near the racing line following an impact with the energy-absorbing barrier in this area.
“These changes were proposed based on feedback from the FIA Safety Department following their ongoing analysis of all circuits, as well as input from drivers and teams. They aim to provide improvement in safety whilst maintaining corner dynamics and exciting racing,” read FIA’s statement.
