The FIA and local organizers have made security changes in the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne after heavy accidents in last year’s Australian Grand Prix.
In the 2024 race, Russell was caught Fernando Alonso Breaking before expectation for Turn 6, leading Mercedes Getting away from the car and suffering from a heavy accident, before her car returned to the racing surface.
6 and 7 twist, which was re -profiled and built rapidly, was already a concern for drivers before Russell’s accident, with Williams’ Alex albon Also suffering a large shunt in the first independent practice.
Options considered to make the corner safe include re-profileing to reduce the corner speed once again, adding an asphalt run-off area instead of a gravel mesh, or obstacles behind the corner Racing line in the event of another accident to accommodate and prevent cars from jumping back.
The FIA has now decided to take the later route, in which the barrier on drivers has been transferred and deployed at a separate angle to reduce the risk of bouncing cars on the track.
The governing body has also made the changes of turn 6 and 7 mandatory, moving to a single specification of a so -called negative curb, a curb that falls away from the surface of the track, a raised, positive Instead of curbing, cars climb, they are in danger of being unresolved and unstable.
The existing gravel mesh has also been extended to the edge of the karb.
An FIA spokesperson confirmed, “After reviewing last year’s incident at Albert Park, several changes of 6 and Turn 7 have been approved in collaboration with local ASN and Grand Prix organizers.”
Alex Elbon, Williams Racing FW46
Photo by: Williams
“Turn 7 has been replaced with a single specification of negative curb when the entry of Turn 7 and outdoors out of Turn 6.
“This adjustment removes the infection from the negative to positive curb present in this area, which was addressed by the local amendment (grinding) to provide a smooth transition between the first curb. The intention was to remove the possibility of this. The intention is to destabilize a car.
“Additionally, the gravel net is now extended to the back of the curb and the obstruction towards the left side of Turn 7 has also been transferred and racing near the racing to relax in a position to reduce the possibility of a car coming to rest in a position. For re -profiles in this region, the line with an impact with a barrier.
“These changes were proposed on the basis of the input of the FIA Safety Department after the input of drivers and teams along with the ongoing analysis of all circuits. Their purpose was to improve security by maintaining corner dynamics and exciting racing. Have to do. “
The changes by the drivers are likely to be well received, which were already urging the FIA to change the briefing of the drivers of the previous year.
Russell said after his accident, “The corner (himself) is amazing, perhaps one of the best corners on that circuit, so I would not like to see changes in that corner.” “But all circuits that have obstacles in some positions, if it is going to bring you back to the circuit, it is not clearly good.
“We don’t want to do big runoff. Just that wall position, even if it is close to the track, but according to the circuit, at least you’ll not bounce on the racing line.”
The use of a single, constant type of negative curb is also something that albon had already advocated after his practice smash, explaining the transition for a high curb and contributed to losing control in his form in his form, explaining the transition for a high curb Williams Got down.
“It is like a double-stepped curb when it exits and especially as we have less cars, we can use the curb on the first bit, but if you go too far and you go far away and you have other types of ramps When killing the section, it gives the car in the air, “he said.
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