Saudi Arabia outlines Jeddah F1 track changes for 2022 race

The promoters of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix have outlined additional particulars on the deliberate observe adjustments to the Jeddah System 1 observe forward of subsequent month’s race.

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit hosted its first race final December, however drew criticism from drivers over its security as a result of variety of blind corners on a high-speed road observe.

Final yr’s race was interrupted by two pink flags and a lot of crashes, prompting GPDA director George Russell to inform Motorsport.com that the observe was “missing so much from a security perspective and a racing perspective”.

Saudi Arabia will host its second grand prix in 4 months on 27 March, serving because the second spherical of the season. The occasion’s CEO, Martin Whitaker, mentioned final month that tweaks can be made to the observe to assist driver visibility.

With one month to go till the race, an extra replace has now been given on which corners might be adjusted to enhance sight strains by shifting boundaries and widening the circuit in locations.

“It has already been confirmed that some minor tweaks might be made to the circuit to assist enhance driver sight strains from the cockpit by enhancing visibility in a number of of the circuit’s corners together with Turns 2, 3, 14 and 21 the place the boundaries might be moved again between 1.5m and 2m,” reads an announcement from Saudi Motorsport Firm, the race promoter.

“Likewise, the barrier on the right-hand aspect of Flip 27 might be moved again by round 1.5m to widen the observe at this level. In all instances besides Flip 27, the observe restrict/edge will stay the identical.

“As well as, additional modifications can even be made to Turns 4, 16, 22 and 24 after session with the drivers who requested a smoother barrier on the apex in order that they will probably brush it as they move.

“To accommodate this, SMC is putting in a metal plate which is able to successfully wrap across the concrete boundaries given them the sleek floor they require to favour the strains the drivers take across the record-breaking course.”

The blind corners on the circuit caught out a number of drivers all through the grand prix weekend final yr, notably in follow and qualifying once they had been on a mixture of quick and sluggish laps.

The second pink flag of the race was brought on by a crash involving Russell and Nikita Mazepin exiting Flip 2. Russell took evasive motion to keep away from a conflict between Sergio Perez and Charles Leclerc, which blocked the vast majority of the circuit, however Mazepin bumped into the rear of the Williams by way of the blind nook.