F1 News
After turn 10, the clumsy chicane may be the next change to Catalunya
- GPblog.com
Formula 1 might choose to skip the chicane at Circuit de Catalunya in the near future. The current corners 14 and 15 of the circuit are under scrutiny by race director Michael Masi.
Catalunya undergoes modifications
For the 2021 race, Circuit de Catalunya underwent a modification. The tight curve 10 was changed to a more flowing one, making it more like the original 1991 circuit. Masi says the final chicane of the circuit may also come modified, should F1 want to stay at the track longer.
"It’s something that we’ve been looking at for a little while," Masi is quoted by MotorsportWeek.com quoted. "It’s obviously not an overnight change that can be done." The race director wants safe circuits but also wants the racing not to suffer heavily as a result. So a middle ground has to be found.
Safety first
Since the 2007 season, the gnarly chicane has been part of the Spanish circuit. The corner combination was added so that drivers would be less likely to go through the final corner, creating a safer situation. Despite the safety, drivers and fans were generally unhappy with the new chicane.