The Catalunya circuit, which hosts the Spanish F1 Grand Prix, plans to obtain an FIA Grade 1 licence, with the track lacking the chicane between turns 13 and 16.
Since 2007, the F1 Spanish Grand Prix has been held at the Catalunya circuit. The circuit slows down cars at the chicane before the last right-hand corner of the track.
However, this setup would limit a driver’s overtaking opportunities on Barcelona’s main straight, effectively rendering F1’s DRS ineffective.
The promoter says it hopes to have a choice of configurations available for racing series, including F1, by gaining FIA approval for a chicane-free layout.
A spokesman for the Circuit de Catalunya told RacingNews365: “It is our intention to homologate the track without the chicane in early 2023. However, the track with the chicane will remain the same.”
“Once homologation is complete, all promoters will be able to choose the layout they want to compete on (with or without a chicane).”
In recent years, F1 drivers have called on Barcelona to change the layout of the circuit, arguing that removing the chicane could rapidly improve racing.
In 2021 George Russell commented that “the circuit runs pretty bad and the racing is always pretty boring”.
“Overall, I think if the circuit goes back to the last two corners of 15 years ago, two fast corners, we can actually get a little closer to the straight. If it’s faster, up to turn 1. The slipstream effect is much bigger .”
“For the fans, they can see the car going much faster, and for the drivers, they’re going through incredibly fast corners, which is exciting.”
“It’s a win-win and it’s an easy fix for a pretty crappy circuit.”
Category: F1 / Spanish F1 Grand Prix
