25 replies to this topic

[Mat]

Apparantly there was word yesterday that there will be some track changes made to the track in time for next years race.

Does anyone know any details of the changes?

Mat

[doohanOK]

Apparently the chicane before the final turn hairpin will be removed.

regards,
doohanOK.

[Viktor]

Here is a picture of the "new" track that will be ready for the GP next year



Source: http://www.etracks.f...o.uk/index.html

/Viktor

[100cc]

looks like they're trying to open up some more overtaking places.

[TheD2JBug]

looks like a better pit entry too

[byrkus]

Now the Lycee corner reminds of last corner on Goodwood circuit (Lavant straight - Woodcote - Chicane). Or am I the only one who finds resemblance?

[BRG]

Originally posted by byrkus
Now the Lycee corner reminds of last corner on Goodwood circuit

Yes, it does! As so many other corners at Magny-Cours are named after other tracks, maybe they should call this new corner "Goodwood".

Interesting that the Chateau d'Eau bend is being made more of a hairpin - although not approached as fast as the Adelaide hairpin, it might give another passing chance. These look like some real improvements for once - especially getting rid of that nonsensical last Lycee corner.

[Velocifer]

Why couldn't they make the Estoril turn narrower?

[Jhope]

Originally posted by Velocifer
Why couldn't they make the Estoril turn narrower?

Why?

[Velocifer]

-To minimize aero issues between fighting cars.

It's only when slowed by rain that 'equal' cars are able to be close enough to justify the straight into Adelaide, like we saw in 99..

[Jhope]

I've not heard anyone complain of aero turbulance through Estoril. And since this track has been on the calendar, there has been a large amount of passing going into Adelaide.

We need fast corners in Formula One. Estoril is a brilliant corner in my opinion. Leave it the way it is.

[Velocifer]

With all due respect, but has there really been that many true passes there? (without somebody making a mistake) I don't have the best of memories, but I have M-C down as one of the most overtaking unfriendly on the calendar. After 99 when Hakkinen blew everybody away and there were passes galore, I concluded that the speed need be only fractionally slower for cars to be able to follow close enough through Estoril.

Witness the new tracks of today with their slow-long straight-slow main layout (Sepang, new Hockenheim) and their opposites like Catalunya (and of course Estoril ;)), which, even with a monster straight cannot produce the passes that the other tracks can.

The mere fact that the corner got its name after such a famed circuit, probably means they will leave it unchanged (like with Monaco, all's the pity..) in the interest of 'heritage', but I say get the pen out and get real!

No, slicks and turbos won't do it either..

[Witt]

I agree with Jhope, leave the Estoril corner the way it is. Newer circuits tend to shy away from the longer, fast corners, so whatever ones are left, it's best if they stay.

The only modification i would recommend to estoril corner is to slightly bank it! Indy's prooved that fast corners with banking leading onto long straight produce a great overtaking opportunity - even before the cars reach the breaking point (ie; slipstreaming).

The modifications to Magny cours seem to be for the better, but they smell of Tilke.

[Bart]

I rather doubt the changes will make any difference to overtaking. The run-up to Chateau d'Eau from Imola is too short to see any outbraking given there's really only one line through Imola, and I think the left-hand sweep will prevent outbraking into the last right-hander.

Instances where the road bends one way and then comes up to a slow corner in the other direction don't seem to work too well as overtaking spots. The new hairpin at Hockenheim did a reasonable job because there was a long flat-out section and a fairly long straight on the approach, but that's not the case here. I'd like to be proven wrong though.

What is going to matter more is traction control, and getting good bite out of Chateau d'Eau. We may see more bald Michelins on the Williams cars next year...

[Mat]

I'm beginning to shudder everytime I hear of track modifications. And they all seem to have the same taste. Tilke. In another 10 years every track will almost look exactly the same. No need to design a car that works on all 17 tracks around the world- Make it work on one and you will have it's 16 siblings under control as well!

I actually dont mind these changes to Magny-Cours. it wont really change the character of the track much (unlike Hockenheim) but I doubt it will lead to a big increase in overtaking.

[FredrikB]

In another 10 years every track will almost look exactly the same. No need to design a car that works on all 17 tracks around the world- Make it work on one and you will have it's 16 siblings under control as well!

That would make it so much easier to play F1 2012 ;)

Actually i'm already a bit bored over F1 2002 because the tracks are so much alike.
Back to GPL then....


F.

[jk]

Use this new layout, but get rid of the Imola Chicane... THAT would be something!

[Al.]

Originally posted by jk
Use this new layout, but get rid of the Imola Chicane... THAT would be something!

That was my first thought. With the Imola chicane it is a high speed chicane where aero dependant cars can't follow too close. If the run off is then a problem, use the existing right hander but tighten up the entry to make it a harder stop.

I've not heard anyone complain of aero turbulance through Estoril. And since this track has been on the calendar, there has been a large amount of passing going into Adelaide.

If MS was over a second a lap faster than everyone while in front how is it that he couldn't pass a MERCEDES (yes they are slow through the speed traps this year) powered McLaren into Adelaide hairpin without a mistake.

The only modification i would recommend to estoril corner is to slightly bank it! Indy's prooved that fast corners with banking leading onto long straight produce a great overtaking opportunity - even before the cars reach the breaking point (ie; slipstreaming).

That only works because turn 1 at Indy (last turn on the GP circuit ) is well withine the limits of the car and so can be considered a straight (ie loss of downforce through the corner doesn't matter).
This is amplified by the amount of wing the cars have to run because of the fiddly infield that everypone is so quick to critise.

I don't know the speed through Estoril, but I would imagine that it would have to be fairly banked before an F1 car could run through it 'comfortably' flat out

What is the point of the chicane after the last hairpin?

[Schummy]

I'm not sure those changes are for good. IMO that last chicane and the last corner was interesting as many cars/drivers go into difficulties there. I hate the cars going in rails, and that was a zone where it didn't happen.

Slow corners are needed as we have to see if drivers can drive those powerful cars in those very slow parts, it is part of the required skills to be a true F1 driver. What is bad is that current F1 tracks are too similar, and F1 cars are too technological (less human input).

[FredrikB]

Hehe, no worries Wolbo.

I've had GPL since the release of the demo (gpl rank +65 ca, i HATE hotlapping).
F1 2002 was just a temporary deviation from GPL.

I used to be quite regular at VROC. But the summer came between i guess.
It will soon be long dark nights here in Sweden again.

Cya online?
Fredrik

[Gary C]

the best thing they can do to Magny-Cours is to bulldoze the bluddy thing..............

[Jhope]

Unlike most here, my opinion of Magny Cours is a good one. I quite lik ethe circuit, and look forward to the race there every July. I agree, it`s no Clermont Ferrand, Rouen, Reims, Le Mans or Paul Ricard, but it`s a bloody good circuit which has provided goo dracin gin recent years.

[fisichella_2001]

Magny-Cours is, in my opinion, the worst circuit on the calendar, closely followed by the Hungaroring. These changes can only be a good thing, as the only overtaking opportunity at present is a rather wild lunge down the inside of the Adelaide hairpin. I doubt two corner changes will make much difference though, and I wouldn't be unhappy to see the race move to Paul Ricard.

[Veronika]

I think it looks good...but why Formula One suddenly needs every single track changed?

[Gary C]

'but why Formula One suddenly needs every single track changed?' Easy! Because apart from a very few instances, there's very little RACING going on, and the TV viewing figures are disappearing down the drain! They have to do something about it, and maybe this is the start???

[Veronika]

Originally posted by Gary C
'but why Formula One suddenly needs every single track changed?' Easy! Because apart from a very few instances, there's very little RACING going on, and the TV viewing figures are disappearing down the drain! They have to do something about it, and maybe this is the start???

I hope so. That would be great! Rebirth of F1