The Spanish Grand Prix organizers are evaluating the possibility of making a significant change to the layout of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya race track by removing the extremely unpopular turn 14-15 chicane.
The final sector of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was changed 15 years ago when a chicane was introduced for safety purposes after cars previously could go flat out through the final two turns as they headed to the start-finish line straight.
The changes meant interrupting the flow of the circuit which slowed down the cars and as a result revisions to the run-off areas were not needed. However with the track now looking to earn FIA Grade 1 accreditation, the certification needed to be able to host a Formula 1 race on a certain layout, these problems will need to be fixed. This plan is far from easy and straightforward, however, due to the fact that a public road limits the ability to move back barriers and grandstands, with a steep hill and motorway located near.
A spokesperson circuit of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya explained:
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“The intention is to homologate the track without the chicane at the beginning of 2023. But the track with the chicane will remain the same. Once the homologation is done, every promoter will be in a position to choose in which layout they want to compete.”
In case the deadline is respected, Formula 1 will be able to run on the revised layout in the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix next May. The change would mark a continued trend of the circuit reverting back to its former, more flowing iteration after turn 10 was opened up last year, rather than it being a hard braking zone and tight left-hander.
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