Barcelona modifactions

[andreag]

Until now, the section between corner 11th (Banc Sabadell) and 13th (New Holland), the one you call "tightest and twistiest part of the circuit", was an accelleration area (from 120 to 280 km/h), with a slight break to negotiate New Holland before the straight.

In that conditions overtaking was impossible, and the distance of cars starting the long straight, made it difficult. Now the chicane will allow cars to arrive to New Holland (the last corner) much closer than before, giving more chances of overtaking on the straight.

[wedge]

Thanks guys.

I'm in two minds. The last corner is probably one of the most under-rated corners in F1. In qualy the cars would go through that corner almost flat out - but the circuit is littered with hi-speed corners and therefore the car behind was stuck in dirty air.

My feeling is that they should've at least altered T1&T2 into sharper corners, increase braking distances and overtaking chances.

[ArrowsFA1]

I guess it's cheaper to keep modifying circuits than it is for the FIA to actually do something about aero on the cars themselves

[ShiftingGears]

I guess it's cheaper to keep modifying circuits than it is for the FIA to actually do something about aero on the cars themselves

Precisely! I have quite a dislike of chicanes. I wonder how long it will take for existing Tilke tracks to be altered for chicanes?

[Sleeper]

Until now, the section between corner 11th (Banc Sabadell) and 13th (New Holland), the one you call "tightest and twistiest part of the circuit", was an accelleration area (from 120 to 280 km/h), with a slight break to negotiate New Holland before the straight.

In that conditions overtaking was impossible, and the distance of cars starting the long straight, made it difficult. Now the chicane will allow cars to arrive to New Holland (the last corner) much closer than before, giving more chances of overtaking on the straight.

True, the last two corners were vey fast but they are coming out of La Caixa and the following corner (cant remember its name). The new chicane means that the last series of corners from La Caixa on are all going to be tacken at mid-to-high speed, something that is going to prevent overtaking.

If passing is whats wanted then New Holland should be made considerably tighter, that would go a long way to sorting that out.

[Erki]

Boooooooooooooooooooo!

What really surprise me are the comments here that suggest that those chicanes are all good because they (theoretically) produce more overtaking. Artificial overtaking, that it. They could use the old Avus track then if all they want is sharp corners and 4-km straights.

Modern circuits become dumber and dumber. Almost makes me cry.

[andreag]

What really surprise me are the comments here that suggest that those chicanes are all good because they (theoretically) produce more overtaking.

I didn't say ALL chicanes are good. I just refered to new Montmelo chicane, and it is for two reasons:

1.- The way this part of the circuit was before, made overtaking almost impossible.

2.- I've seen it on location, and not just in photos, and I drove it before it changed (I want to do it also after).

Artificial overtaking, that it.

Do you see this as "artificial overtaking"?:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_GlYbH1Fvg

Old circuit, slow chicane, fast cars and clever drivers. But it was done!

[Erki]

Of course it was done, it was Montoya! But that chicane still isn't my favourite corner. What I meant was that adding chicanes left right and middle is just a mickey mouse way of creating overtaking. What about taking a close look on the cars and find a way to avoid that turbulence effect.

[andreag]

What about taking a close look on the cars and find a way to avoid that turbulence effect.

But of course; the matter is it doen't seem to be on FIA plans for the next years.

So any other solution to increase overtaking opportunities has to be welcome. Most of us still dream of a comeback of pure overtaking and more control in drivers' hands, instead of aero overdose and too much electronic control (some is OK, but this is too much); so though chicanes aren't the best solution, are better than nothing. Do you remember last Spanish G.P. It was OK on the circuit (almost any race is exciting that way), but everyone who watch it on TV said it was booooooring.

You'll see next race in Montmelo, and you'll have more fun than in 2006.

By the way, the Bus Stop isn't my fave corner too.

[jens]

What concerns Barcelona, then Turn 1 should be a lot tighter. Only that may cause more overtaking manouvers.