After two years of hiatus, the Australian GP should return to regular competition this season. The last edition of the race dates back to 2019 and since then the Melbourne track has no longer hosted Formula 1 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions imposed by the Australian government.
In these two years of pause, however, the organizers of the GP did not remain idle and made significant changes to the layout of the track aimed at increasing points and overtaking opportunities.
Among the modified track points are also corners 9 and 10 which have now become a fast sequence, while other locations on the circuit have been expanded to allow drivers to bring greater speed into the corners.
In addition to these works, the race organizers have resurfaced the entire city track for the first time since 1996. According to the event’s CEO, Andrew Westacott, the entire package of changes, combined with the new ground effect cars , will result in significantly lower lap times.
Changes to Albert Park
Photo by: Australian Grand Prix Corporation
“We will have times of 5 seconds faster, but with the new ground effect cars we will also have close fights.”
“The drivers will have the opportunity to follow the car in front of them and try to overtake them. I think one of the most interesting points, where we will see many attempts, will be in turn 11 ”.
“Furthermore, with the widening of the roadway by another five curves, especially 6 where the drivers will pass at 150 km / h and no longer at 90 km / h, it will involve a significant increase in the G-force”.
“The philosophy behind these changes is to make the race as exciting as possible and for this reason too we have resurfaced the track for the first time in 25 years.”
Changes to Albert Park
Photo by: Australian Grand Prix Corporation
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