The 2023 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix will arrive from June 2 to 4 with a novelty that will be obvious and will influence the show on the track: the chicane before the finish line of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has been eliminated . At the request of Formula 1, which had been behind the idea for some time, the Circuit's original layout, from 1991, is returned to its last two corners, which were eliminated since the 2007 GP.
With this change to the layout, the Circuit will go from 16 curves to 14, radically modifying the model: the track will go from having a slow last sector with two third-speed corners to a very fast one with the last two high-speed corners - a mini-parabolic one - to enter the goal. In this way, the intention of Formula 1 is to favor the possibility of overtaking on the straight or when braking in turn 1.
Curiously, the introduction of the variant in 2007 was made at the request of the FIA with the aim of increasing safety by reducing the high speeds that were taken in the last corner (it was drawn at about 240 km/h) and on the straight. Thus, in the run-up to the 2007 GP, Fernando Alonso pointed out: "It will be good for safety, but nobody likes this change... Well, only Pedro de la Rosa", for whom the chicane made the ride less dangerous. section.
And another curiosity: the last race held in Montmeló with the original layout, without a chicane, was the 2006 Spanish GP: the race was won by Fernando Alonso, with Renault.
To carry out the modification of the layout -already executed- it has not been necessary to carry out works (since the last two curves already existed; they are the ones used in MotoGP). Following the instructions of the FIA, the Circuit only had to install new Tecpro protection barriers in the last two corners (13-14).
The new layout and the correction of the security measures were approved by Stuart Robertson, the FIA's head of safety for circuits and rallies, and Niels Wittich, Formula 1 race director and FIA safety delegate.
With this modification, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya once again has a total length of 4,657 meters. In other words, the best times in F1 (pole position, fastest lap) will set new records.
Likewise, the Circuit will continue to have the previous layout with the chicane (which continues to be approved), available to the promoter who organizes each race.
Other modifications to the Valles layout that can be seen in the Spanish F1 GP in June are the extension of the runoff in turn 1 with 70 more meters of gravel. A request from the FIA and the FIM to give more security in case of going off the track at the end of the straight.
A protection fence was also installed in turns 1 and 2 to improve the safety of the drivers.
In a second phase of works, new connecting roads will be built around the area. The Circuit expects to finish these works at the end of March.
Spectators will also be able to observe a significant change in the aesthetics of the Circuit: there will be a new marker at the exit of the pit-lane.
This season a new, more modern signaling tower will be inaugurated, which will add more character to one of the most iconic points of the Circuit.
Other changes introduced affect the hospitality spaces that were in the pit building. The so-called Corporate Lounges now have a new layout as they become a large-capacity open-plan space. The permanent toilets located in the public areas are also being refurbished.
