Works in Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit are almost finished and the top leaders from regulating organisms in both MotoGP and Formula 1, FIM and FIA. Have visited the track to see how the works had improved the safety conditions of the venue and they both have approved the changes the track has made.
After the passing of Luis Salom due to a crash in turn 12 at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, there have been lots of safety concern about that part of the track. In 2016, after the Spanish rider died, the F1 layout was used for the rest of the weekend.
One year later, in 2017, a new chicane, placed some metres before the one F1 uses, was made and used. But the asphalt on that part of the circuit was different and the grip conditions changed, which caused several crashes and more controversy among MotoGP riders.
The final solution that the MotoGP Safety Comission claimed was a complete reformation of that part of the circuit. The grandstands had to be moved some metres behind in order to enlarge the run-off area, which had to be a gravel trap on its totality. MotoGP riders also demanded the track to be completely resurfaced, since there were many problems with Michelin tyres for MotoGP riders during the last GP held there between the 9th and the 11th of July.
Finally, the track had to face several changes that met the requirements made by MotoGP Safety Comission and weren’t a handicap for F1. Today, with some details yet to be finished, the works are almost ended and the facility has been visited by Charlie Whiting, F1 race director, and Franco Uncini, FIM Safety Manager. Both have recognised the job the track had done and have given it their approval to keep holding MotoGP and F1 events without inconvenients.
After some weeks of inactivity due to the works, it is expected that the Catalan track re-opens on next Saturday. F1 will be at the ‘new’ track for the first time at the end of the month to do the official pre-season testing sessions, while MotoGP will hold its first tests there at the end of May.