The FIA and native organisers have made security adjustments to Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit following heavy crashes in final yr’s Australian Grand Prix.
Within the 2024 race, Russell was caught out by Fernando Alonso braking sooner than anticipated for Flip 6, resulting in the Mercedes automobile going off and struggling a heavy crash earlier than his automobile was spat again onto the racing floor.
Turns 6 and seven, which had been re-profiled and made quicker, had already been a priority for the drivers earlier than Russell’s crash, with Williams’ Alex Albon additionally struggling a giant shunt in first free observe.
Among the many choices thought of to make the nook safer embody a re-profiling to cut back nook speeds as soon as once more, including an asphalt run-off space as an alternative of a gravel entice, or adjusting the obstacles behind the nook to try to stop automobiles from bouncing again in the direction of the racing line within the occasion of one other crash.
The FIA has now determined to take the latter route, with the barrier on drivers’ left having been moved and positioned at a distinct angle to cut back the chance of automobiles bouncing again onto the observe.
The governing physique has additionally mandated adjustments to the kerbs of Flip 6 and seven, shifting in the direction of a single specification of a so-called unfavorable kerb, a kerb which falls away to sit down decrease than the observe floor, moderately than a raised, constructive kerb that automobiles climb onto, risking them turning into unsettled and unstable.
The prevailing gravel entice has additionally been prolonged to the sting of the kerbs.
“Following a evaluation of final yr’s occasion at Albert Park, a number of adjustments to Flip 6 and Flip 7 have been accepted in collaboration with the native ASN and the grand prix organisers,” an FIA spokesperson confirmed.
Alex Albon, Williams Racing FW46
Picture by: Williams
“The kerb on the exit of Flip 6 by way of entry and apex of Flip 7 has been changed with a single specification of unfavorable kerb.
“This adjustment removes the transition from unfavorable to constructive kerb that was current on this space, which beforehand had been addressed by native modification (grinding) of the kerb to supply a smoother transition between kerb sorts. The intent is to take away the opportunity of this transition destabilizing a automobile.
“Moreover, the gravel entice now extends to the again of the kerb and the barrier on the left-hand facet of Flip 7 has additionally been moved and re-profiled to mitigate the opportunity of a automobile coming to relaxation able close to the racing line following an affect with the vitality absorbing barrier on this space.
“These adjustments have been proposed primarily based on suggestions from the FIA Security Division following their ongoing evaluation of all circuits, in addition to enter from drivers and groups. They purpose to supply enchancment in security while sustaining nook dynamics and thrilling racing.”
The adjustments are more likely to be nicely obtained by the drivers, who had already been urging the FIA to make adjustments finally yr’s drivers’ briefing.
“The nook [itself] is wonderful, in all probability top-of-the-line corners on that circuit, so I would not need to see that nook change,” Russell stated after his crash. “However all circuits which have the obstacles in sure positions, if it will propel you again onto the circuit, that is clearly not good.
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“We do not need to have massive runoffs. Simply the place of that wall, even when it is nearer to the observe however in step with the circuit, a minimum of you would not bounce off onto the racing line.”
Using a single, steady sort of unfavorable kerb can be one thing Albon had already advocated after his observe smash, explaining the transition to a better kerb had contributed to him shedding management as his Williams bottomed out.
“It is form of a double-stepped kerb on the exit and particularly as now we have these low automobiles now, we are able to use the primary little bit of kerb, however if you happen to go too far throughout and also you hit the second form of ramp part, it forces the automobile into the air,” he stated.
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