Modifications of the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona

On the Circuit de Catalunya, a number of changes have been made since last year. The track has been updated to improve safety but also to make the three sectors more distinct from one another. There has been a modification of gravel traps, curbs, drainage systems, and safety barriers following Heikki Kovalainen’s accident in 2008.

After 22 laps of the 2008 Spanish Grand Prix, spectators had a big scare when the Finn from McLaren crashed into the tire barrier at Campsa after his rim broke. A year later, Formula 1 returns to Catalonia with a new type of gravel at turn 9 designed to slow cars in the event of going off track. In addition, the tire barrier has been reinforced.

Modifications have been made to the turn following the 10. The region may be affected by heavy rain, which is why new curbs and new channels collecting rainwater have been installed where the slope is steepest. The circuit now has 440m of curbs and more than a kilometer of channels.

The total length of the tire barriers on the circuit, which serve as safety barriers, is now four kilometers with approximately 19,000 tires.

Turn 3 was also modified with gravel being replaced by asphalt run-off, which has proven effective in reducing the speed of cars that go off track. It is certainly safer than gravel.

Join us tomorrow on casinoenlignefrance.eu.com for the official presentation of the Barcelona circuit.