Barcelona circuit asks for last chicane to be removed
From next year, all motor racing events, including F1, will be able to use the Barcelona circuit without its final chicane. Homologation of the circuit is expected soon.
This is certainly one of the least liked turns in Formula 1. Whether it’s from drivers or fans, the last chicane of the Barcelona track is far from being unanimous. Even Moto GP riders are not unconditional fans of it (however, it was used in 2016 following the death of Moto 2 rider Luis Salom in the previous curve, Editor’s note.).
From next year, everyone should breathe a sigh of relief. According to information reported by Motorsport.com, the Barcelona circuit is seeking to have its circuit approved, but without that famous left-right before the final big curve.
The chicane area will not be modified. What will be done is the approval of the layout without the chicane for the motorsport championships. Then, each promoter will be able to choose their preferred track configuration, a spokesperson for the circuit told our colleagues.
This chicane had been added to offer more overtaking possibilities. Indeed, with a slow turn, the single-seaters were theoretically supposed to get closer together in anticipation of the long straight that followed. However, it proved to be rather ineffective.
