The FIA has confirmed that revisions have been made to the Albert Park Circuit in Australia in response to the incidents that occurred in the Formula 1 race last season.
The event in 2024 was the third since Australia returned to the calendar after a small hiatus due to the Covid pandemic but concluded with a crash that divided opinion.
George Russell was chasing Fernando Alonso on the final lap when the Spaniard braking earlier than his rival anticipated saw him lose control at Turn 6 and hit the barrier.
The Briton’s impact with the wall sent his Mercedes careering back onto the track, prompting him to express panic on the radio that an oncoming car could collide with him.
Russell’s accident was the second to happen that weekend at Turn 6, remodelled along with Turn 7 in a bid to improve the spectacle with quicker cornering speeds.
However, Russell’s crash succeeded Alex Albon dropping his Williams at the same point on the track in the opening practice session, causing seismic damage to his car.
Those shunts, coupled with similar incidents in Formula 2, had seen the FIA and local circuit organisers, the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, weigh up numerous changes.
Among them was replacing the existing gravel trap outside track limits with asphalt, rearranging the barrier on the exit, or altering the corner again to reduce speeds.
The FIA has opted to authorise changes to the barrier, which is set to be repositioned to minimise the chance that a rebounding car will be sent back onto the track like Russell.
Meanwhile, there will also be tweaks to the kerbs implemented, with a singular flat kerb being used at both Turn 6 and 7 compared to the two-step one used in previous events.
“Following a review of last year’s event at Albert Park, several changes to Turn 6 and Turn 7 have been approved in collaboration with the local ASN and the grand prix organisers,” an FIA spokesperson said.
“The kerb at the exit of Turn 6 through entry and apex of Turn 7 has been replaced with a single specification of negative kerb.
“This adjustment removes the transition from negative to positive kerb that was present in this area, which previously had been addressed by local modification (grinding) of the kerb to provide a smoother transition between kerb types. The intent is to remove the possibility of this transition destabilizing a car.
“Additionally, the gravel trap now extends to the back of the kerb and the barrier on the left-hand side of Turn 7 has also been moved and re-profiled to mitigate the possibility of a car coming to rest in a position near the racing line following an impact with the energy absorbing barrier in this area.
“These changes were proposed based on feedback from the FIA Safety Department following their ongoing analysis of all circuits, as well as input from drivers and teams.
“They aim to provide improvement in safety whilst maintaining corner dynamics and exciting racing.”
Russell had called for action amid crash
The FIA’s decision is poised to be one that Russell, who heads the Grand Prix Drivers Association [GPDA], will approve as he suggested that solution 12 months ago.
“The corner is amazing, probably one of the best corners on that circuit, so I wouldn’t want to see that corner change,” Russell told media including Motorsport Week.
“But all circuits that have the barriers in certain positions, if it’s going to propel you back onto the circuit, that’s obviously not good.
“We don’t want to have big runoffs. Just the position of that wall, even if it’s closer to the track but in line with the circuit, at least you wouldn’t bounce off onto the racing line.”
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