The FIA defends the paving of Monza’s Parabolica

Revealed in August by a few photos shared on Twitter, the modification of the Parabolica of the Monza circuit to replace part of the gravel trap with a wide strip of asphalt has been widely commented on, often condemning what many observers have described as a lowering of the difficulty of this curve.

Charlie Whiting, the safety delegate for the FIA, commented on these works, stating that this modification resulted from a joint decision for safety purposes: Approximately 35% of the gravel was replaced. This was required for safety reasons by the FIA and the drivers, just as it has been on practically all the circuits where F1 races.

« Obviously, we know it doesn’t punish a driver who goes off the track, but it’s the price to pay for improved safety: a price that the drivers and I think is deserved, » he adds, for Autosport. Nevertheless, the presence of a large strip of astroturf should prevent drivers from taking too much advantage of going wide, in addition to the dirt on the asphalt in that area.

Interesante modificación de Parabolica, Monza. Más segura / Parabolica looks safer now, modern times have arrived! pic.twitter.com/wTgQLlNftS

— Pedro de la Rosa (@PedrodelaRosa1) 2 Septembre /f1/actualite/18300-monza-le-degagement-de-la-parabolique-goudronne.html

Romain Grosjean explains that this change will allow drivers to more easily search for the limit of the track, without fearing car damage in case of error: « The Parabolica is a very difficult and fast corner so from a safety point of view, it’s a good thing to have a bit more leeway for the drivers. »

« I remember, sometimes, in the past, entering the corner knowing that even braking a bit too late could send you straight into the gravel and then into the wall at high speed. I think now what you’ll see are drivers finding the limits earlier, because we know there won’t be the penalty of gravel and crashes like before, » he explained for Autosport.