Run-Off Area Alternatives

[4MEN]

And they keep asking why F1 is losing audience...

[F1NAC]

found funny comment about that

R.I.P. Lewis Hamilton if his brakes fail there

[GitanesBlondes]

It's becoming more than apparent that every circuit F1 visits is being ruined with modifications whether they are meant to address "safety" or they address the lack of "luxury". I actually wish F1 would stop visiting many of the long-time circuits.

While I still enjoy Spa Francorchamps, let's not kid each other about how that circuit has been ruined with the now extensive runoff areas in the Eau Rouge complex, Les Combes, the sweepers at Pouhon, and the run through Blanchimont. Blanchimont's challenge has been significantly reduced with all the tarmac on the outside of the corner. When you don't have to worry about going off-roading if you totally botch the turn in point at that corner, you no longer worry as much about getting the corner right since you will be forgiven for running wide.

Putting tarmac runoff outside the Parabolica is the same crap. Sure you might have a little strip of gravel in between the track and that runoff, but it's only a matter of time before that gap is closed.

Most of today's drivers are sissies, whining about every perceived danger that they might come across. Who could forget Petrov whining about testing at Mugello in 2012 because he thought the walls were too close to the circuit. The driver's become softer every year.

[strad]

Usually I have no use for Pitpass but in this case I have to agree 100%
.

The Parabolica, one of the most iconic corners in motor sport has been tarmacked over

The move, which comes weeks before the Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale in Monza, was revealed on Twitter.

One of the great corners of Formula One, indeed motorsport, the Parabolica, along with the Curva Grande, the Lesmos, and the ultra high-speed straights, have made the circuit among the most iconic even if it has been somewhat emasculated over the years.

The final, long sweeping corner before the main straight, the Parabolica previously featured a massive gravel trap, though a strip of artificial grass has been added in recent years in order to penalise drivers who run wide and thereby gain an advantage.

However, the outside of the entire corner has now been covered in tarmac, a move which has already caused uproar amongst drivers.

"So the Monza Parabolica now has Tarmac run off on the outside - another great corner that will lose it's challenge," tweeted Karun Chandhok.

"Parabolica will never be the same corner again," added Jerome d'Ambrosio.

The move comes at a time when the future of the race at the circuit is said to be under threat, though many believe this is merely Bernie Ecclestone up to his usual tricks in order to raise the hosting fee.

Either way, it's a sad day.

[wesley123]

I must be missing something, but how does it lose it's challenge? It's not like the actual corner has changed. The only difference is you don't do thousands of dollars of damage anymore when it goes wrong. I Don't see what the issue is.

[strad]

The change is you can screw up with no negative consequences.
It's like the videos I posted that no one watched. Between the cars and the courses they can feel totally safe. You could let your mom do it.

[Pingguest]

And they keep asking why F1 is losing audience...

This change was not mandated by the FIA but the FIM instead.

[Reca]

This change was not mandated by the FIA but the FIM instead.

The modification of runoff with tarmac was expressively required by FIA, as confirmed by Sias (the company managing the circuit) just yesterday with a press release.

I’ve read somewhere, couple of months back, about FIM/Dorna demanding more radical interventions, including also some changes of layout, at Parabolica (smaller radius and moved inward, to reduce speed and gain run off) but also at Ascari and both chicanes.
Didn’t hear more since then though so not sure what to make of it.

Also consider in this period the Sias administration has changed, following election of the new management of Milan’s Automobile Club too (with ex driver Ivan Capelli in charge now), so presumably that could lead to some changes in the contacts/negotiations with the various federations.


For the work done already, right now I’m just hoping that the serrated kerb on exit still represents some sort of penalty for those putting wheel on it (albeit it clearly will be lot less damaging than touching grass). If that’s the case then possibly things will not change too much. (or am I just trying too hard to be positive?)

Next week I’ll go take another look, should be pretty much finished by then.

[strad]

make me no difference if it was FIM...they used to have the balls to include the TT.
They would only want it so they could slide on their little airbags. Same deal..so they could push harder without having to risk injury

[deterherligt]

Calm down about the parabolica. Some user on reddit has made this to explain what is going on http://i.imgur.com/TVWGzCI.png

[i70q7m7ghw]

What I don't get, is why don't they just put concrete run-off on the other side of the grass, and leave the grass there?



This should be a standard for all run-off areas.

[xDama]

Calm down about the parabolica. Some user on reddit has made this to explain what is going on http://i.imgur.com/TVWGzCI.png

And he's wrong.



Parabolica is dead. Thank you F1.

[FW17]

Will it be dangerous to have a 6 inch step on the boundary of track to the runoff (runoff lower)?

[DaveKillens]

Will it be dangerous to have a 6 inch step on the boundary of track to the runoff (runoff lower)?

Just ask Raikkonen what happens when the transition from runoff area to track is not level. At Silverstone he attempted to rejoin the racing after running wide, and it was this transition that launched the rear wheels into the air and made things very messy.

[FW17]

Will it be dangerous to have a 6 inch step on the boundary of track to the runoff (runoff lower)?

Just ask Raikkonen what happens when the transition from runoff area to track is not level. At Silverstone he attempted to rejoin the racing after running wide, and it was this transition that launched the rear wheels into the air and made things very messy.

With a 6 inch step no driver would attempt to re join with after 2 wheels off the track, considering major front wing and floor damage such a move.