Transforming the Valencia Street Circuit

Valencia in need of change

After the first Formula One Grand Prix in Singapore, race organisers made a number of small changes to the circuit to improve the racing. There are supposedly plans for more alterations in 2010 to make the final sector of the lap much quicker, and Singapore officials should be applauded for looking to develop their venue.

It’s quite a shame that European Grand Prix organisers haven’t done the same in Valencia.

Mark Webber’s high speed crash and the subsequent Safety Car provided the only major excitement in three years at Valencia. Overtaking is close to non-existent at the circuit and many believe the track’s layout is largely to blame.

Whilst it’s hard to change much of the configuration due to nearby buildings, and the shape of the harbour, there is still the opportunity to make a few subtle modifications that could improve the racing.

Turns 3, 4, 5 & 6

The first series of right-angle corners add nothing to the circuit except a quick run alongside boats in the harbour. One idea might be to replace these corners with a straight that runs all the way towards turn nine that creates an overtaking opportunity.

Turn 9

There is space on the exit of turn nine to make the corner a little tighter, thereby extending the braking zone and making it a little easier to pass coming into the corner.

Turns 14, 15 & 16

Race organisers could feasibly replace turns 14, 15 and 16 with a single right hand corner. Not only would this make the new corner a better overtaking opportunity than the existing turn 14, but it would create one long straight into turn 17 making it a more reasonable overtaking opportunity also.

It’s currently easy for drivers to hold their position through turn 14 because they can take a defensive line going into the corner without their rivals getting a run on the exit thanks to turns 15 and 16.

In the wake of Mark Webber’s high speed crash, circuit officials are unlikely to make any changes that will dramatically increase speeds, but they should at least consider a few small alterations to improve the quality of racing at their event.

The suggested changes are marked below in yellow.

Posted by Martin Porter. - Follow him on twitter @mpondaweb.

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Last Comment Posted »

• Some good ideas there Martin. Racing at Valencia has been boring in the past. Driving the track in F1 2010 is a lot of fun, but it is very...
  by luke
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