The layout of the Red Bull Ring, venue for the Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix, has been modified to include a chicane that will replace what was until now curve 2. The reason that has motivated this remodeling is none other than the search for greater security. The dangers faced by the riders on this track have been the subject of constant debate since the return of the Austrian circuit to the calendar of the Motorcycle World Championship in the 2016 season.
It has been concluded that the inclusion of this chicane is the best solution in a process in which a total of 15 drafts have been submitted. With the track layout used so far, the drivers faced a long uphill straight after exiting Turn 1. On that straight they had to tackle a quick left-hander before braking for a slow right-hander at Turn 3. . The speed at which they will get to this point will now be much slowerwhich will significantly reduce the risks.
This modification largely addresses the accident that occurred at the Red Bull Ring in the 2020 season. In the middle of the race, Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli collided on the straight between turn 1 and 2, with the misfortune that the Italian’s Yamaha M1 was thrown through the outside of the track until crossing it once the second curve was passed. As luck would have it, Morbidelli’s MotoGP did not hit Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales by a matter of millimeters.
The architect Herman Tilke has been in charge of the remodeling. After studying different formulas, it was concluded that including a chicane without compromising the integrity of the original layout was the best formula to increase safety in that section: «The reduction in speed was necessary in MotoGP in this section of the track. This was achieved by using this chicane that avoids the impact on the rest of the track. Planning was a real challenge, mainly due to the topography of the land.”
The remodeling process of the Austrian layout was approved last summer and has been carried out in recent weeks. If all goes according to plan, the first Austrian GP at the Red Bull Ring under this track configuration will be held on August 19-21. The modification of the layout only affects the MotoGP eventso the Formula 1 World Championship and other motorsport categories will continue to use the original variant without this chicane.
Photos: MotoGP