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From that image it looks like F1 could still use Curva Grande, that chicane doesn't seem like it would interfere with it, unless they planted an exit curb across the original circuit.
The Formula 1 calendar development threadFormula 1
- Thread starter prisonermonkeys
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The only thing that I could see thrm doing for Formula One is essentially move the Variante della Roggia forwards so that Curva Grande drops straight into the chicane, before straight-lining the existing della Roggia and allowing the cars to build more speed for the Lesmos corners.
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Roggia is currently the only real overtaking spot, so doing that would hamper racing, as the Lesmos are too fast to be a good spot at the end of the straights. Ascari and Parabolica are too fast to properly attempt a maneuver both on entry and down the next straight.
Plus that wouldn't work because of the bridge in the overtaking spot, it's too narrow and the supports too big to consider moving it for the track.
Curva Grande doesn't work for the MotoGP currently because of that bridge. When Silverstone was revamped for 2010, there were 5 bridges crossing the circuit. Road bridges across the track along the Hangar straight, between Farm and Bridge (obviously) and across the National (Wellington) straight, and two pedestrian bridges, one across the old start/finish line and one just behind the National bridge. Because of the fast nature of the corners preceding the bridges, MotoGP didn't want bridges any less than (using crude Google Earth measuring) 350m away from the bridges, presumably in case a rider comes off and hits the bridge. That explains why A: The circuit turns right at Abbey instead of left and through Bridge and Priory, B: Chapel now has the car circuit version (untouched) and a tighter bike version, C: Aintree is so close to Becketts and D: The bridge next to the old pits was removed instead of butchering Woodcote. They are all modifications made to keep the bikes away from them. The exit of Curva Grande (ignoring the pitifully small runoff there anyway) is only 250m away from the bridge. There isn't any space on the outside of the corner to extend into a 90 right, so something on the inside is the only option, where a slow corner precedes the bridge with no curve on the exit to cause any concerns. That is why the chicane is tight, slow and in that position.
That said, it does look like they have given proper thought to the compromise. It looks like the track will follow that old circuit (which all rFactor owners will know well), and there is some pretty gnarly elevation change that Monza doesn't really have anywhere. As long as the cars follow the Curva Grande normally, then this change isn't all that bad.
That said, if they were to turn Parabolica into two 90-degree bends, and it allowed a lot more overtaking both into it and out of it, I would be quite happy indeed. As much as people like the history of the corner, it really is useless for overtaking in F1. Monza GP's are pretty boring as there are a load of straights and only one overtaking spot (Roggia).
EDIT: Just had another look, the first bridge after Ascari will have to go, it's only 280m after the corner. That or a chicane within a chicane. Chicaneception!
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I think that part of the problem that they face is that Monza is very much a Formula One circuit - everything else that races there, particularly touring cars, tends to be really dull. They have faced financial problems recently, so the reprofiling might make the circuit more appealing to other series.
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If Roggia were moved forward, it might allow more overtaking into Lesmo 1, as the braking zone would be larger.
I don't really see how the 1st chicane isn't seen as an overtaking spot. Last few races I've watched at Monza from various series, including F1, have featured overtakes at T1 & 2.
BlancPain and WTCC both rwced at Monza last year, and the races were pretty good. Especially the TC races. The Monza rounds were some of the best of the year.
So I guess I'm in favour of a change if it opens the circuit up to bikes, but I don't really buy the whole "the current config is unappealing to series other than F1."
I don't really see how the 1st chicane isn't seen as an overtaking spot. Last few races I've watched at Monza from various series, including F1, have featured overtakes at T1 & 2.
BlancPain and WTCC both rwced at Monza last year, and the races were pretty good. Especially the TC races. The Monza rounds were some of the best of the year.
So I guess I'm in favour of a change if it opens the circuit up to bikes, but I don't really buy the whole "the current config is unappealing to series other than F1."
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Lesmo is a similar speed to Ascari and Parabolica, which are extremely tough to overtake into. The braking point of Roggia is extremely long, and preceded by another slow corner (T2), which allows the cars to stay together. Combine it with Grande, where cars are almost forced into the slipstream, and where the inside line to the corner is shorter thanks to being on the left of the track on the exit of Grande. Roggia is the best overtaking spot Monza has, and changing the straight to make Lesmo at the end would not be good. Plus the runoff size there wouldn't be classed as adequate.
T1&2 isn't as prolific as it should be. The longest straight followed by the slowest corner should always be perfect. The problem is Parabolica, it's too fast and long, so there is a long time for the following car to sit in the turbulent air and lose the advantage you need to pull off an overtake.
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Twitcher
From a safety standpoint it's far safer to depart Curva Grande in an F1 car at 150+mph than on your arse with your bike following you...
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- 2,028
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The Lesmos are two of my most hated corners in all of racing games.
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Not sure what you're getting at? If they make the proposed changes, bikes wouldn't use Grande.
What I meant was that I don't buy that Monza is unappealing to other car racing series. After watching BlancPain and WTCC at Monza, I didn't find the races boring at all, and the cars didn't seem "unsuited" to the track at all.
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Will know in about a month whether or not the US GP is happening this year.
http://beta.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122637/us-gp-future-decision-due-in-february
http://beta.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122637/us-gp-future-decision-due-in-february
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- TenEightyOne
- TenEightyOne
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I don't think it would be penalised for something so out of their control unless the state was looking for an excuse to get out of its commitments.If it's the case that funding is dependent on the previous year's visitor numbers (something I read somewhere that I can't find now) then it would be a shame if they were effectively penalised for an Act of God.
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From the few things I've read, an excuse to get out is exactly what the state is looking for.
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- TenEightyOne
- TenEightyOne
Maybe it could be simple... it just wouldn't be cheap.
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I don't know - I doubt Bernie would let someone walk away from a contract because of force majeure.
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- TenEightyOne
- TenEightyOne
I imagine (maybe quite incorrectly) that there is an option for anyone to end the hosting contract at any time for any reason. It's just that there'll be significant financial penalties. It's difficult to imagine that there's a scot-free exit for sure.
EDIT: A hint that penalties exist (2010), but no surprises.
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Marcus Ericsson wants a Grand Prix somewhere in Scandinavia (but concedes that it might be a very long time before it happens):
http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122640/scandinavia-deserves-a-gp--ericsson
http://m.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122640/scandinavia-deserves-a-gp--ericsson
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Formula1.com takes a closer look at Baku:
http://www.formula1.com/content/fom..._first_look_at_the_new_Baku_City_Circuit.html
http://www.formula1.com/content/fom..._first_look_at_the_new_Baku_City_Circuit.html
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- RacingAtHome
It looks (To not use a better word) rubbish.
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Care to expand on that?
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- TenEightyOne
- TenEightyOne
I think rubbish is probably the right word. We'll have to see what it's like in the flesh, I guess. For me it looks quite dull except the narrow/twisty section, I hope that will at least bunch cars up for the faster sections... although I expect those to be the usual race-to-the-rev-limiter.
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The curcuit doesn't look that bad overall. The narrow middle part seems to be very technical, in contrast with the high speed straights of the rest of the curcuit.
Let's see how it turns out. Although I wouldn't give a GP to Azerbaijan in the first place, I'm not that pessimistic. And from a sightseeing standpoint the track looks attractive, too.
Let's see how it turns out. Although I wouldn't give a GP to Azerbaijan in the first place, I'm not that pessimistic. And from a sightseeing standpoint the track looks attractive, too.
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- RacingAtHome
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Your right, I got them mixed up, my bad. Either way though, I still found the TCR race at Monza quite entertaining.
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Possibly, but the roads are incredibly wide. Neftchilar Avenue - the main straight - is eight lanes wide. The road it turns onto is five lanes wide. Compare that to Raffles Boulevard in Singapore, which is only four or five lanes wide.
With any luck, the first sector will be reasonably quick. If nothing else, it will at least have the wide entry that has proved so successful at the Circuit of the Americas and Buddh International.
