Full extent of Australian GP track changes revealed

Australian Grand Prix organisers have revealed the full extent of the changes being made to Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit for its 2021 Formula 1 race.

It was already known that a modified, faster circuit layout would be introduced for the postponed November race, with the removal of the Turn 9/10 chicane and a wider road into a tighter, slightly cambered Turn 13 at the end of the straight.

In total, seven of the 16 corners at the street circuit are being modified.

The current Turn 1 will be widened by 2.5 metres, Turn 3 by four metres (and with a camber adjustment) and Turn 15 by 3.5 metres.

The quick right-hand Turn 6 that starts the middle sector will become even quicker, as organisers expect a 7.5-metre wider turn will increase minimum speeds by 70km/h.

It is possible that the removal of the Turn 9/10 chicane, replaced by a flat-out minor sweep all the way to what is currently the high-speed Turn 11/12 left-right, will create a new DRS zone – which would take the number of DRS zones at the track to four.

The changes are expected to make the track five seconds faster, but home hero Daniel Ricciardo has backed the quality of overtaking opportunities to be improved as well.

A new era for the @ausgrandprix! 🎉

Wider, flowing corners and a new lease of life for the Albert Park Circuit, ahead of its 2021 return 🏗#F1 pic.twitter.com/Mr8Tk6xScs

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 1, 2021

“Sundays and making race days more exciting for everyone, that’s what we all want and I think these changes are in the direction of what we want,” said the McLaren driver.

“Better races, more battles – the changes are going to push us towards that.

“With these cars the changes should help a lot, but from 2022, if next year promises everything it does with being able to follow the car in front and the racing to be enhanced, then coming to a circuit like Albert Park with these changes should make a pretty amazing spectacle.

“I see all of these changes as beneficial for Sunday and we can have some fun on the brakes.

“It’ll make the racing closer, I’m pretty confident of that.”