The new layout of Albert Park unveiled

This Tuesday, the organizers of the Australian Grand Prix released photos of Albert Park after its facelift. Several turns have been modified, two have been removed (bringing the total to 14 turns), and the total length of the circuit has been shortened by 28 meters.

The significant changes that the Albert Park circuit has undergone are intended to improve the on-track spectacle and bring new strategies to the teams.

The first turn

The first modification to the circuit concerns the first turn. It has been widened by 2.5 meters, which would allow drivers to go, according to estimates, 17 km/h faster.

Pilots will now have several trajectories at their disposal, which will provide more opportunities to overtake in crucial moments throughout the race.

The modification is also designed to create more battles after the turn and in turns 2 and 3.

Turn 3

The third corner, where Fernando Alonso had his crash with Esteban Guttierez in 2016, has also been modified.

The changes are related to those that first turn. In order to allow more battles, and increase the chances of overtaking, the curve has been widened by 4 meters. According to estimates, the passing speed would increase by 8 km/h (from 102 to 110 km/h).

The second sector

This is one of the most significant changes. Turns 6, 9, and 10 of Albert Park have undergone a major overhaul to increase cornering speeds.

In a first step, the curve on the right (turn 6) was widened by nearly 7.5 meters. This change will allow F1 cars to reach 219 km/h (70 km/h more than before). According to the organizers, this will bring a faster pace that will reduce the turbulent air, also known as dirty air, impacting the aerodynamic flow of following cars.

« This means better performances and more exciting races, as drivers prepare for the next new high-speed zone of 1.3 km. »

This new high-speed zone was created following the removal of the chicane (formerly turns 9 and 10). The section along Lakeside Drive will allow F1 cars to reach speeds of up to 330 km/h. Additionally, this area could become a new DRS zone, provided that the FIA authorizes it.

The new turn 11

The right-angle turn (formerly turn 13), at the beginning of sector 3, has also been widened. The width of the track is now 15 meters (compared to 12 before).

This change provides a generous track width, allowing for multiple racing lines in the turn, offering new options for drivers to overtake.

To maximize passing opportunities, the camber of turn 11 has been adjusted and its apex is now tighter. This means that drivers will be required to significantly adjust their speed in case of sudden braking to ensure they negotiate the turn successfully.

If we consider that turn 11 follows an ultra-fast straight line, this change should offer its share of exciting moments.

The new turn 13

The second to last curve of the track was feared by drivers, as it is very easy to make a mistake there. In order to increase the difficulty for the leading car to defend its position, the turn has been widened by 3.5 meters.

Like turns 3 and 11, the new turn 13 has also seen its beveled border profile modified to ensure that the driver’s overuse of the rumble strip is penalized, thereby improving the opportunities for overtaking on the outside of these turns.

The voice of the stands

This one also underwent modifications. Like all the other changes, the width of the pit lane has been increased by 2 meters. The additional space could prompt the FIA to raise the minimum speed in the pit lane from 60 to 80 km/h.

This means that changing tires will result in less time penalties for drivers, so teams will have to consider new parameters in order to establish their strategy.