Higher speeds and better racing promised for Albert Park Formula One circuit

The Albert Park Formula One circuit is undergoing a facelift ahead of this year’s race in November. WE REVEAL ALL THE MAJOR CHANGES

Albert Park track changes art.

Lap times are set to slashed by up to five seconds at this year’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix once Albert Park circuit modifications are completed ahead of the race in November.

As work begins on the second phase of the Albert Park circuit’s modification and resurfacing project, News Corp can reveal the major changes to the track, which Australian Grand Prix officials expect to deliver higher speeds, more overtaking opportunities and better racing.

Promising to reward “aggressive driving and penalise poor driving”, the track modifications will see the number of turns at the track reduced from 16 to 14.

The removal of the existing chicane at turns nine and 10 to make it virtually a straight section along Lakeside Drive is one of the most significant changes and will provide not only enhanced speeds, but will allow for an extra (fourth) DRS zone for the circuit.

The Albert Park track changes will deliver higher speeds and better racing.

The widening of the corner apex at turn six by seven and a half metres is the other major change to the track, which is set to boost speeds through that section from 95km/h up to 150km/h into the new high-speed zone through turns six to 11.

The approach to the current turn 13 has also been widened and straightened where it is hoped overtaking opportunities will be maximised under braking.

The circuit will also be widened at the existing turns one, turn three and turn 15, while there will also be camber changes to the current turns three, 13 and 15.

Track modifications are underway and are expected to be completed by June, including six weeks of road closures, but planned resurfacing works will not start until after this year’s race.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief executive Andrew Westacott said the modifications were designed with Formula One and the FIA and promised to enhance the racing for fans.

“We want to make some evolutionary changes that enhance the racing and make it hopefully more exciting for fans at the circuit and on television around the world,” Westacott said.

“It’s the sum of many parts. It’s a widening of pit lane to hopefully get from a 60km to an 80km/h speed increase, which therefore reduces the penalty associated with a pit stop.

Albert Park will have a new look when the Australian Formula One Grand Prix returns. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images

“It includes camber adjustments at particular turns so that you are making it more conducive to rewarding aggressive driving and penalising poor driving.

“Thirdly, we have the widening of particular turns which will do two things. One, it will provide more opportunities on those turns themselves and, secondly, it will also increase the speed at subsequent turns around the venue.

“We expect, for instance, around Lakeside Drive the speed could be as high as 340km/h and the lap times might come down by about five seconds.

“It will be a faster circuit in particular locations so it will therefore provide more demanding opportunities at the turns where we are changing racing lines.”

The Albert Park circuit has come under fire in the past for its lack of overtaking opportunities, which these track upgrades have addressed.

Westacott said racing simulations predicted the changes would produce more aggressive driving.

“There has been a criticism in the past that our circuit is not one of the better circuits on which to overtake,” Westacott said.

“What we have needed to do by working with Formula One and the track designers … is provide some legitimate overtaking opportunities.

“By the removal of turns nine and 10 around Lakeside Drive we can actually … provide opportunities for overtaking at turn 13.”

“The simulations indicate that and what we are going to get is the opportunity for more aggressive driving.”

Daniel Ricciardo will race for his new team McLaren at this year’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park in November.

The first phase of the track upgrades began in December last year with the widening of the pit lane. The final phase three will be the asphalt resurfacing after this year’s race.

The Albert Park circuit has not had a surface upgrade in 25 years.

The works, including resurfacing, were originally scheduled to be completed in time for the 2022 race to coincide with the forthcoming changes to aerodynamics on the cars.

But this year’s postponed race gave AGPC officials the opportunity to bring forward the track changes in time for the November event.

The AGPC has worked in consultation with Parks Victoria on the project, which is also set to deliver community benefits, including increased lakeside parkland and improved cycling corridors and new cycling criterium loops.

“We have had to work within the physical constraints and the parameters of what exists in the park … to produce what we think is going to be an improved outcome for Formula One racing and motorsport racing and, in addition, beneficial outcomes for the community,” Westacott said.

Australian Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo said last month he was all for tweaks to the Albert Park circuit to improve the racing.

“It’s always been a fun track to drive around but … the Sundays can sometimes be a little bit difficult for overtaking,” Ricciardo said.

“I’m all for it if it helps out on the Sunday and increases more overtaking. I think just wheel-to-wheel battles, that’s what we want.”

F1 announced in January the Australian Grand Prix was shifting from its traditional position as the season-opener in March due to travel issues surrounding the pandemic and would instead be held from November 18 to 21.

The Melbourne race will now be the third-last event on the 2021 F1 calendar before the final two races in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.