Albert Park’s second sector “now basically a massive straight” after changes · RaceFans

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Revisions to the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix have drastically modified the character of the monitor, say Alpine’s drivers.

Method 2 champion Oscar Piastri, who’s from Melbourne, mentioned lap instances on the circuit are “going to be rather a lot faster than the outdated structure” this yr.

“I don’t know the way a lot faster the lap instances can be however I’ve pushed the circuit on the simulator and it’s considerably faster,” mentioned Piastri.

A number of corners have been widened which ought to permit for increased cornering speeds. However essentially the most dramatic change has been made on the former turns 9 and 10, which have been bypassed on the brand new structure.

“[On] the again part the place they’ve eliminated the chicane, it’s now mainly an enormous straight main into the suitable hander,” mentioned Piastri. Drivers will due to this fact strategy the short left-right chicane which follows having accelerated all the best way from the widened flip six.

“There might be some fascinating overtaking strikes into there and automobiles side-by-side at very excessive speeds,” mentioned Piastri. “It’ll be thrilling. I believe these new automobiles can observe higher at excessive speeds, so I believe the adjustments made right here go well with the brand new automobiles very properly.”

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Albert Park, Melbourne Formula 1 track map — **Observe knowledge: Albert Park, Melbourne**

Esteban Ocon, who’s returning to the circuit for the primary time since 2018, mentioned “the monitor structure adjustments are literally fairly vital,” together with these which seem minor.

“Flip nine-ten has been eliminated and [the] flip six-seven adjustments look small, however are substantial for cornering speeds. These kind of adjustments will imply the lap instances must be a number of seconds sooner this yr, in comparison with the final time we accomplished a lap at that monitor.”

He’s hopeful the modifications will make overtaking simpler. “With these adjustments and the brand new technology of automobiles, it ought to make for an thrilling race and a few good battles on monitor,” he mentioned. “We’re excited and may’t wait to get our first style of it in actual life on Friday morning.”