Kyalami track changes revealed

Monaco has the Techpro crash barriers at certain points around the circuit (for which Max Verstappen is extremely grateful). The rest of the track is relatively 'low speed' so run off areas aren't a necessity.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Well that's the whole point. It's not really about safety if you throw enough $$$ at it. Glitz and glamour aside, if safety is their main priority then Monaco should not be on the calendar...
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The oil sheikhs have bazillions of dollars but look at their ''street circuit''. Acres of runoff. Same goes for Singapore.

Monaco is the exception because aside from money it has a rich racing history. It has held a Grand Prix since 1929 and along with the Indy 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans it forms the ''Triple Crown'' of motor racing. It is a prestige race in a prestige series.
 
thestaggy said:
The oil sheikhs have bazillions of dollars but look at their ''street circuit''. Acres of runoff. Same goes for Singapore.

Monaco is the exception because aside from money it has a rich racing history. It has held a Grand Prix since 1929 and along with the Indy 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans it forms the ''Triple Crown'' of motor racing. It is a prestige race in a prestige series.
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Still, safety isn't really the priority then, whatever the excuse. If it were, Monaco wouldn't be on the calendar...
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Still, safety isn't really the priority then, whatever the excuse. If it were, Monaco wouldn't be on the calendar...
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It is ONE track. 70 tracks have hosted a Grand Prix, including the 19 current tracks, and only ONE doesn't look like a giant parking lot. And as Agent_Smith pointed out, it may not look like the average cookie-cutter F1 circuit, but that does not mean it isn't safe considering its low average speed.
 
thestaggy said:
The oil sheikhs have bazillions of dollars but look at their ''street circuit''. Acres of runoff. Same goes for Singapore.

Monaco is the exception because aside from money it has a rich racing history. It has held a Grand Prix since 1929 and along with the Indy 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans it forms the ''Triple Crown'' of motor racing. It is a prestige race in a prestige series.
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Rumors abound that Monaco is going to be removed from the calendar anyway.
 
Drifter said:
Rumors abound that Monaco is going to be removed from the calendar anyway.
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The chances of this happening is very very slim, Monaco is the jewel for F1, its every drivers dream to win this race and the amount of money moving behind the scenes in this one weekend is staggering. This rumor is probably just Bernie running his mouth for more money...
 
thestaggy said:
It is ONE track. 70 tracks have hosted a Grand Prix, including the 19 current tracks, and only ONE doesn't look like a giant parking lot. And as Agent_Smith pointed out, it may not look like the average cookie-cutter F1 circuit, but that does not mean it isn't safe considering its low average speed.
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What Mike probably mean't was that if Monaco had to be evaluated now as a possible new addition to the F1 calendar, then it won't be accepted based on the rules applied to other venues. Monaco has escaped the need for extended run-off areas, bigger pits and a wider pit lane etc because of it's perceived status as the jewel in the F1 crown. Other circuits were forced to upgrade at massive expense for relatively minor issues when compared to Monaco.
 
vinodh said:
What Mike probably mean't was that if Monaco had to be evaluated now as a possible new addition to the F1 calendar, then it won't be accepted based on the rules applied to other venues. Monaco has escaped the need for extended run-off areas, bigger pits and a wider pit lane etc because of it's perceived status as the jewel in the F1 crown. Other circuits were forced to upgrade at massive expense for relatively minor issues when compared to Monaco.
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I agree that it would not make the calendar if it applied today as a new track, but he keeps on inferring that safety is not a priority in the sport as a whole because of Monaco's presence, which is false, as it is the anomaly among all current and future tracks. A place like Suzuka and Monza are still more dangerous than Monaco.

It must be said though that Monaco has indeed carried out significant upgrades despite the fact that space is marginal. They have reclaimed the waterfront in two places to create more space and improve safety. The chicane after the tunnel was extended over the water to allow for a safer section than the previously flat out left-right flick. The inside of Ste Devote has been opened to allow for a new, and safer pit lane exit. The pool section was pushed back to create more space for the pits and to open up the entrance and exit of the complex, with the barriers being pushed back so there is actually some run-off space. The renovated Rascasse is built on a man-made extension in to the waterfront. Due to the latter two changes it was also possible to upgrade the pits. 10-years ago the cars couldn't even be left in the pits overnight as the ''garages'' were too small to hold the cars and equipment.

It isn't a Shanghai or Bahrain, with massive pits and acres of runoff, but a lot of work has been done there with what is available and due to its low average speed it is no more dangerous than Monza, Spa or Suzuka, tracks that allow for much higher speed. In its entire history the track has claimed four lives, and only one was during an F1 race weekend. Monaco's marshals are recognised as the best and most efficient on the calendar as well. The tunnel chicane is still a dangerous place, Wendlinger and Button can attest to that, but in Wendlinger's case cars have changed radically and in Button's case the chicane's runoff has constantly been improved.
 
thestaggy said:
I agree that it would not make the calendar if it applied today as a new track, but he keeps on inferring that safety is not a priority in the sport as a whole because of Monaco's presence, which is false, as it is the anomaly among all current and future tracks. A place like Suzuka and Monza are still more dangerous than Monaco.

It must be said though that Monaco has indeed carried out significant upgrades despite the fact that space is marginal. They have reclaimed the waterfront in two places to create more space and improve safety. The chicane after the tunnel was extended over the water to allow for a safer section than the previously flat out left-right flick. The inside of Ste Devote has been opened to allow for a new, and safer pit lane exit. The pool section was pushed back to create more space for the pits and to open up the entrance and exit of the complex, with the barriers being pushed back so there is actually some run-off space. The renovated Rascasse is built on a man-made extension in to the waterfront. Due to the latter two changes it was also possible to upgrade the pits. 10-years ago the cars couldn't even be left in the pits overnight as the ''garages'' were too small to hold the cars and equipment.

It isn't a Shanghai or Bahrain, with massive pits and acres of runoff, but a lot of work has been done there with what is available and due to its low average speed it is no more dangerous than Monza, Spa or Suzuka, tracks that allow for much higher speed. In its entire history the track has claimed four lives, and only one was during an F1 race weekend. Monaco's marshals are recognised as the best and most efficient on the calendar as well. The tunnel chicane is still a dangerous place, Wendlinger and Button can attest to that, but in Wendlinger's case cars have changed radically and in Button's case the chicane's runoff has constantly been improved.
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Good point. But it should be noted that the FIA are only interested in the revenue that Monaco brings in.
 
No-Rules said:
We do a lot of track days with bikes, Michelin informed us when they are finished upgrading the track the prices will go up.
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Of Cause, they got a plan to make their money back... I remember when the purchase was going through, how they were doing it for all Motorsport etc... STROND man! It's about profit. Motorsport is going to struggle - just watch.

As it is, it's struggling financially
 
FiestaST said:
Looks good

http://youtu.be/-_SFmLtZGH0
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Looks brilliant.

Like the run down to Crowthorn, like the run-off at Sunset, like the deeper entrance at the Bowl, like the new tar... The pit lane looks like a ton of work is going on... Odd not to see the old pit lane and the bomas and the bridges finally look like they're from this century.
 
I hope the new layout one day appears in a video game, such as Forza or Gran Turismo. Its the closest I'll ever get to driving on it!

I will go and watch races when they start hosting them there.
 
Just got invited to do 3 laps on the circuit :D :D
 
For most of the track, it still seems like one skid away from a concrete wall death, especially for amateurs in street cars.
 
Gaz{M} said:
For most of the track, it still seems like one skid away from a concrete wall death, especially for amateurs in street cars.
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Nah not really
The most dangerous are the last two corners - very little runoff.
The mineshaft is very fast, you could go through the sand trap there if you're unlucky

Other prangs I've seen have been on the exit of the turn into the back straight, getting power down too early, oversteering and hitting the inside wall.
 
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