The Spanish Formula 1 GP, which will be held in Madrid next weekend, may be marked by frequent interruptions due to the characteristics of the new circuit. Isabel Omaque, head of the Madring circuit medical center, warned that the lack of escape areas could significantly increase the possibility of red flags.
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With a layout of 5.4 km and 22 corners, the track combines areas near IFEMA with the sector built in Valdebebas, including slow chicanes, demanding braking points, and faster sections, such as the already famous banked corner, La Monumental. In several places, the walls are very close to the racing line, reducing the space available for a driver to recover after a mistake.
Tests carried out with Formula 3 have already indicated the problem. There were several interruptions caused by contacts with the barriers, anticipating a situation that may repeat during the F1 GP weekend.
According to Omaque, any necessary intervention on the circuit may force race control to neutralize the race with a Virtual Safety Car or Safety Car. In more complex situations, the alternative may be a red flag, as already happened during the F3 tests.
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“There are no service roads. At most circuits, there are service roads that allow access to the track and work. Here, whenever we need to intervene, as happened during the tests, we will need a Virtual Safety Car, a Safety Car, or a red flag,” Omaque said, according to the newspaper El Nacional.
The head of the medical center also highlighted that Madring has few or practically no escape areas and lacks gravel traps in much of the layout: “Basically, the race will have to be neutralized or interrupted, as there are almost no escape areas, or they are minimal. Almost always we have a wall and there is no gravel, so it is a very technical and new circuit,” she added.
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