Formula 1 drivers have welcomed the decision to remove the dreaded final chicane at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
First used back in 2007, it was hoped the slow left-right would bunch cars together and promote overtaking on the long main straight to Turn 1.
However, for this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, F1 will revert back to the pre-2007 layout consisting of two high-speed right-handers to end the lap.
Of the current drivers on the grid, only Fernando Alonso has F1 experience of the original Turn 13. And the Spaniard hopes it will provide a better experience for all.
“It was a corner that I think was too slow for these Formula 1 cars and the size of these cars as well,” Alonso said of the previous chicane via MotorsportWeek.
“I think it was not really enjoyable to drive, but it remains to be seen if the new layout will help the overtaking, or will help the show in general in the race.
“But I’ve been racing in that layout for a few years, including in Formula 1, so I think it will be more fun to drive and hopefully we put on a good show for everyone.”
Lewis Hamilton was in GP2 when the corner was last used back in 2006 and can’t wait to try it in an F1 car.
“Our car has never liked that chicane, I’ve never liked it,” the Mercedes driver said in Monaco.
“So we’re going to come out of Turn 12 and then flat, probably flat-out through the last two. It’s going to be great for our neck, great for tyre wear, and it’s going to be fun.”
Simulator runs suggest the new layout will see lap times reduced by around five seconds compared to last year.
And with the Barcelona track now featuring six long-radius and/or high-speed right-handers, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc expects the main challenge to be the tyres.
“I think the left-front tyre will be crying for the whole race,” commented the Monegasque. “It’s the same for everybody.
“It’s going to be a big challenge I think in terms of set-up also to try and help that left-front as much as possible.
“I hope that with the new parts we bring we will be good with tyre management because I expect this to be the main thing in Barcelona.”
