Track Changes At Spa

[airbusA346]

Just seen this posted on Facebook/Twitter.



Sausage Kerbs at Eau Rouge/Radillion.

How long until car will be taking off into the barriers.

[S griffin]

Make them more careful about going off there

[airbusA346]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Make them more careful about going off there

Should be interesting at the start of the Spa 24H then...

[Rodger Davies]

I applaud the idea, hope it doesn't come back to haunt them.

[Pontlieue]

I remember that in the same interview where that change was announced, they also mentioned that grass would be reintroduced at Blanchimont. Any news on that?

[MagVanisher]

They look like speed bumps to me, which is not good at all!

[carbon_titanium]

of course the left run off of the radillion/eau rouge can't be enlarged more than that, but anyway is not the safest place to place those kerbs IMHO.

[J Jay]

Honestly I can't see this going well at the start of the Spa 24h. The intent is noble though, so I hope it doesn't contribute to any potentially dangerous incidents.

[Sodemo]

Wow. Track changes for the better shock!

Will they keep them for the F1 though? I doubt it.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Make them more careful about going off there

Sometimes it's not a conscious choice.

Doesn't seem like the most optimum solution. Quite a few drivers have expressed concerns on Twitter but it's difficult to really see the extent of the bumps from the picture.

[TF110]

How long will they keep those there? Might be a temporary thing.

[GTfour]

Would be a reasonably good idea at preventing cars from crossing the inside line too far were it not for the fact that many cars also venture into this area unwanted. And then, it's just outright dangerous...

[terence]

Put it down to drivers constantly ignoring track limits, something had to be done.

[Sodemo]

Put a moat there, with sharks. They might avoid it then.

[scudd]

Originally Posted by terence

Put it down to drivers constantly ignoring track limits, something had to be done.

Easier and safer to have an electronic strike system. Stray too far left the first 2 times in the race and get a warning, every time after that for the whole race get 5 seconds added to your race time per indiscretion.

Now there's a chance to do serious damage to the car or get sent into the wall.

Sometimes you get it wrong at Eau Rouge especially with traffic so you need an out.

It's like saying the massive run off at pouhon shouldn't be there.

You lose it there and you're in the fence most times anyway, but the extra real estate can help.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by terence

Put it down to drivers constantly ignoring track limits, something had to be done.

It's not the drivers fault that FIA has sterilized most of the major European and Asian circuits for kindergarten-level of safety. When no one punishes you for shortcutting why not ignore the 'rules'

But anyway. While I OBVIOUSLY agree that something needs to be done, especially with this circuit, why not just reintroduce grass and gravel instead of this dangerous car-into-air-launching-mess.

[Pontlieue]

Originally Posted by Chiana

It's not the drivers fault that FIA has sterilized most of the major European and Asian circuits for kindergarten-level of safety. When no one punishes you for shortcutting why not ignore the 'rules'

But anyway. While I OBVIOUSLY agree that something needs to be done, especially with this circuit, why not just reintroduce grass and gravel instead of this dangerous car-into-air-launching-mess.

I too wonder if a stripe of grass would be safer than these kerbs. They appear flatter than those which launched Heidfeld and Tereshchenko into the air, but still high enough to make a driver lose control over his car. Eau Rouge is a difficult corner, because regardless of the type of runoff, losing control will likely result in a big accident. I don't know why a slow corner such as Les Combes needs tarmac runoff, but in case of Eau Rouge, it might be justified.

[Miguel]

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

[Mike Bell]

Electronic technology to penalise drivers for exceeding track limits is already being used, and could have been adopted for Radillon. My guess is that the 'speed humps' were cheaper!

Sensors have already been introduced at some MSV tracks that trigger cameras on certain corners. I know Brands and Snetterton have them. Run a wheel over a sensor the wrong side of the limit line and you're nicked! It's then up to race control to take action, of course, which introduces a human element. The speed humps pictured will act as judge and jury without applying any CoC common sense or benefit of doubt...

Most cars I've raced at Spa have been on skinny Dunlop cross plies, and produce front end lift rather than downforce. Radillon is always difficult, but introduce an unseen trail of coolant, fuel or oil into the equation (or local rain shower!) and that run off area suddenly becomes your saviour. It is not uncommon either to have cars overtaking up the hill, leading to the possibility of one or other party being forced wide.

I'm all for any cars using run off areas to gain an advantage being penalised, but IMHO those humps are not good way of doing it......

[jee]

Also La Source is getting a curb behind the curb

[terence]

Not before time !
LeRadillion is a fabulous part of Spa, as long as you get the hump (just before the top )correct as its this that catches a lot of drivers/cars out.
If you get the chance take a walk up and look back down, youll then see how much difference there is in elevation to the norm.
Get Eau Rouge entry right is a good way to start.

[Pontlieue]

Originally Posted by jee

Also La Source is getting a curb behind the curb

Unlike Raidillon, putting them at La Source is perfectly ok. It's a very slow corner, and at every start I've seen in Spa in recent years, someone took advantage from running wide there.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by terence

Not before time !
LeRadillion is a fabulous part of Spa, as long as you get the hump (just before the top )correct as its this that catches a lot of drivers/cars out.

So what you are saying, Terence, is that the unfortunate driver that gets 'caught out' should be penalised by (possibly) being launched into the air, (possibly) losing control, and (possibly) hitting something hard? Not sure I would agree.

And as said before, it's not always that drivers fault!

I've got no issue with La Source kerb, the run off is definitely used to advantage by some....

[bella]

Originally Posted by Pontlieue

Unlike Raidillon, putting them at La Source is perfectly ok. It's a very slow corner, and at every start I've seen in Spa in recent years, someone took advantage from running wide there.

same opinion here - especially with the low single seaters there should really be some disincentive to take to the run-off so easily. they were certainly never good at penalising everyone who ran wide, and it's difficult to do so without making a mess of the pack.

the only worry is perhaps that going over those kerbs can create forces in the wrong direction that bend suspension which then gives way in a faster section of the track with more forces. specially there where they would in all liklihood hit them sideways.

but it's going to be a while before we're back at grass and gravel again, so this is a step in the right direction, imo.

on another note, nice to see the weather is rubbish at spa as usual

[terence]

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

So what you are saying, Terence, is that the unfortunate driver that gets 'caught out' should be penalised by (possibly) being launched into the air, (possibly) losing control, and (possibly) hitting something hard? Not sure I would agree.

And as said before, it's not always that drivers fault!

I've got no issue with La Source kerb, the run off is definitely used to advantage by some....

And the run off at Le Radillion is used regularly for advantage as well Mike.The reason why drivers regularly get a diagram of what is allowed and what isnt.Do you think these "rumble sections"have not been tried and tested by the FIA.They would probably have thoughts about biulding a wall instead if these were not available.These are put in because of the drivers who regularly use this section, book full of reports from one season helped the decision along I think.
Why would the RACB and FIA install something they considered dangerous?